Did My Doctors Sell My Name and Phone Number?

corky60 · June 2013

All week I've been getting phone calls soliciting money for cancer causes. I wasn't familiar with any of the organizations. One was for breast cancer, another for leukemia, another for children's cancers, etc. I was diagnosed through a breast center and all my doctors are affiliated with it. My family and a few friends know my diagnosis no one else.

These phone calls are new and I don't believe in coincidence. Has anyone else had this happen?

corky60 · June 2013

OK, maybe no one else has had this happen. Or maybe I posted this in the wrong section.

Moderators · June 2013

I'll move this to Moving Beyond Breast Cancer Forum, and see if you get responses.

MelissaDallas · June 2013

Corky, look at this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/business/09privacy.html?adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1372011271-8O6QejpsSpBODzXpG5LDKQ

Tomboy · June 2013

Yes, that has happened to me too. WTF!?!?!

corky60 · June 2013

Melissa, thanks. That article is four years old but still relevant. It talks about leaks in the system. Apparently the system is still leaking. Data mining is bigger business than ever.

MelissaDallas · June 2013

I think I read something lately about people who had signed up for drug manufacturers' assistance programs getting lots of this type junk.

codavis · June 2013

Washington State classifies cancer as a reportable condition. I understood that the reports went to other medical providers/researchers, but was still shocked when the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center contacted me about joining a study they were conducting on breast cancer patients. But, maybe somehow charities are able to access the information.

By the way, I participated in the FHCRC study in the hopes that it might help women in the future. But, I was still pissed that they were able to get my cancer status and phone number.

https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/wscr/WSCR/StaticPage.mvc/AboutWSCR

corky60 · June 2013

Thanks, this is another clue to the puzzle. And you were actually telephoned? No way would I ever respond to a phone call like that. I would expect a letter on official stationary, signed by a real medical professional.

Pattysmiles · June 2013

I have received numerous calls since my diagnosis. I even asked where they got my phone number...no response. I told them put it in writing and send it to me...haven't received ANYTHING in the mail.

Cyborg · June 2013

Insurance company sold my name and address awhile back---

but not the current insurance i have now.

corky60 · June 2013

I've received no more calls since the week I mentioned. What a relief! It is enough to be going through BC without feeling harassed for money from charities. To be fair, they did take no for an aswer and did not call back.

Trvler · August 2015

I know this is an old thread but I was sent a packet to be in a study from some university in Florida. After filling out the entire packet, I saw it said in the fine print at the end that they might release my information to a third party at some point in the future. Guess where that packet went? In the shredder. I don't do studies, insurance case workers or anything now. I kept getting calls from a 'patient advocate' from my insurance. When I asked her why I sell out my privacy to do it, she couldn't really convince me so I told her no. I don't even give them my CVS card when I pick up ANY prescription or cancer related product. It makes me sick that they sell data and solicit cancer patients.

ksusan · August 2015

There was an opt out box on my initial chemo center paperwork. So far, so good.

Did My Doctors Sell My Name and Phone Number?

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