I Wish I had Breast Cancer

BettyBoo

This ad is running on UK TV at the moment, it's causing quite a controversy, it features PC patients wishing they had Breast Cancer instead.

http://pancreaticcanceraction.org/community/blog/h...

The discussion on the FB page of Breakthrough Breast Cancer is an interesting read.

elimar86861

My day is so much better now that I know I have the enviable kind of cancer. (First reaction.)

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It's
an AD, people. They want awareness and time has proven that stepping
up with statements that create some controversy is a great way to get
people to notice you. I think the ad succeeds in that respect. (Second
reaction.)

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Breast cancer, actually, kills
about the same number as pancreatic each year (in U.S.,) but is lower in
percentage because of the enormous number of Dxed cases of B/C. Even
tho' I do not doubt the sincerity of the ad people wishing for a disease
considered more survivable than pancreatic cancer, they are still
making terrible wishes. In the realm of wishes, why not go for NO CANCER AT AT ALL. Also, a hot fudge sundae. Also,
a date with Clooney, or whomever. (Well, that would be in your basic three wish
scenario, and yes, I just might put the sundae ahead of Clooney.
(Third reaction.)

shoppygirl

This is a very strange way get their point across. If any if the ladies in this forum are fans if the British soap opera Corrination Street, one of their main characters just died on the show from Pancreatic Cancer. She actually took her own life as she did not want to suffer anymore. I know they said that they were going to do more to raise awareness of this type if cancer. I don't agree that this is the correct way to do it. 

BettyBoo

http://pancreaticcanceraction.org/community/blog/o...

I think the pinkwashing has a lot to do with the perception of BC, not many folks recognise that BC has many different types and that stage IV is terminal. Overall, saying one sort of cancer is better than others is just wrong, even if the goal of raising awareness is a noble one! 

curveball

I remember seeing this TED talk about an early-detection test, developed by a teenager after a family friend or relative died of pancreatic cancer. I hope it works out and can improve the prognosis for that disease

lekker

Personally, hearing someone say "I wish I had breast cancer" makes me ill.  I fully understand their point that pancreatic cancer has abysmal 5 year survival rates (they don't mention - and it's a US stat - that the survival rate for stage 1 pancreatic cancer is only about 13%) and breast cancer has much better statistics (nearly 100% for stage 1).  If someone asked me if I'd rather have pancreatic or breast cancer, I think I would choose breast, BUT that could never happen because we're never offered a choice in any of this.  I've read posts on other boards from people with colorectal cancer that admit they're jealous of the funding and attention that breast cancer gets and I understand that too.  But to hear someone say they wish they had something that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy?  No thank you.  I think there are other, more effective and more sensitive ways to raise awareness of and encourage fundraising for pancreatic cancer.  I wish only good health for all of us.

BettyBoo

There is a lively debate on this online now, the ad has been reported to the advertising standards agency. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2552308/I-wish-I-breast-cancer-Pancreatic-cancer-charitys-campaign-slogan-causes-outrage-sufferers-disease.html#comments

curveball

I think elimar has hit the nail on the head. There was an ad campaign on lung cancer a couple of years ago in the US, which was also intentionally shocking/controversial. I wonder whether the shock value helped, hindered or did nothing either way toward achieving the goal of improving funding for lung cancer research.

ziggypop

 One thing they don't point out in this ad is that the average age that pancreatic cancer is diagnosed is 71. But now I'm 'comparing' cancers - which I don't think is a good idea. I hope there is more funding made available for many diseases including pancreatic cancer and chilhood cancer. It seems that the funding should be a much higher social & political priority in all countries.