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Cute fight BC TV ad

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Posted 11/7/2012 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
It is so very important to increase public awareness of what PCa is and how deserving of support are the efforts to fight it.

Television ads are a prime avenue for accomplishing this.

The more memorable the ad, the better. A good TV ad makes the public think, and a thinking public may take action, by contributing, looking into supporting PCa organizations, writing congressmen to advocate support, etc.

There is a fight breast cancer TV ad that is running right now (I've seen it on a few cable channels) which is an excellent example of what a good fight cancer TV ad should be. It is clever, catchy, colorful, the girl in it singing and playing the guitar is very cute, and, above all, it is an ad which is very effective in delivering its message and being memorable.

See if you don't agree:

www.poptent.net/media/57242

We need some fight PCa TV ads that are just as effective as the one above is for BC.

It could make a real difference.
l
Posted 11/7/2012 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Can't say that I'm a fan of "Bye This Produce" and we'll give a few pennies to a good cause type of ads.

I think showing people that are near death and how "this could be you" are more effective.
Posted 11/7/2012 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
My wife and I saw this ad the other day.  We both found it cheesy, annoying, and a thinly-disgused way of capitalizing on a serious illness to sell a product of questionable worth. 

I've come to the personal conclusion that this "pink" campaign has become overly commercial and of little real value to the fight against cancer.  This is only a personal conclusion, and I hope I'm wrong.

I wish someone would develop a way of funneling support to fight ALL kinds of cancer, as opposed to pitting one cancer against another in the competition for revenue.

I agree that the girl is attractive, and the tune is lively, but I simply find the ad annoying.   

Posted 11/7/2012 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
What Clock said -
Posted 11/7/2012 6:52 PM (GMT 0)

Disgusting “pinkwashing.”

The leader from Breast Cancer Action is just as disgusted at similar advertising gimmicks: 

“Awareness we have, the question is, what are we doing about it? And when companies can just slap a pink ribbon on any product, then we’re in trouble, because many of those products don’t do anything for breast cancer. And many of them are actually harmful to our health.”

She cited several examples.  The KFC "Buckets for a Cure" was a great example.  What kind of message is sent promoing greasy, fried chicken...fight one cancer while helping cause another!  The product is this "cute" ad, 5-Hour Energy Drinks, is another example…putting your heart at increased risk, as well as your pancreas, liver and kidney functions.

Read:  “Think before you Pink”

Posted 11/7/2012 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmmmmmmm... It would seem that taste in TV ads differs like it does in everything else. That's why they make chocolate and vanilla ice creams, I guess.

That really is a good thing. I don't sign on to the list and make posts hoping everyone will agree with me. The purpose of a good list is to offer a forum for debate. Debate is good.

So, if ads like the one above aren't so good, what makes for a good ad? Steve n Dallas above says that ads showing people near death and "this could be you" would do a better job. Is that what makes for a good ad?

But let's redirect the direction of this thread, if we may, and ask the question, are TV ads the way to go with getting out the word in the first place? Are there better ways? There certainly would be cheaper ways.

Let me tell you what's really going on here.

I've been on a "kick" for a few days now, if that's what it is, thinking about and trying to come up with ways to get the word out to others about PCa, because of a negative experience I had recently, and one I want to mention because it's relevant, and it has been bugging me.

A few days ago I attended what was billed in my local newspaper's special section on PCa in one of its issues (yes, they actually had one), as the local Prostate Cancer Support Group (not it's real name). I thought, hey, this is great. I'll be able to talk to a bunch of other guys, share knowledge, outlooks, etc., should be great.

So I showed up at the meeting, went into the room ready to have a good talk with a bunch of guys, and saw the turnout.

Four guys.

Just four guys, from my city of around 120,000 just four guys had bothered to show up.

People, it's got to be better than that. Okay, I actually did have a good meeting with those guys, the five of us shared some good knowledge and experiences, but it could have been so much better, if more men had just bothered to come. Big write up in the newspaper. Maybe in the other media, too. Only four guys.

It bothers me. What's the matter with us guys? Why do so many of us ignore our health, even when there are signs that something is wrong? I was as guilty as the next guy just a few months ago, thinking I didn't need to worry, since I "felt fine."
I sure found out otherwise when my BPH became a true hassle.

Attitudes have got to change.

Okay, never mind this TV ad or that TV ad, I've just told you what was really bothering me. So just what is the best way to get the word out to so many men, so many men who need to have the word got out to them?

Okay, enough ranting. I want to hear what some of you have to say about this.
Posted 11/7/2012 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Remember the Yul Brenner ads to quit smoking, and John Waynes ad about cancer? To me those are the kind of ads that stick with you. They do me and those ads are from 40 years ago. There are certainly a few popular figures in today's culture that would make wonderful spokesman showing that prostate cancer is a real threat and not just something "some other guy gets."

Arnold Palmer and Richard Petty are two that come to mind that would be excellent candidates for such ads.

This is the ad that sticks with me still:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9f8PXSdXjc&feature=related

Post Edited (IronReb) : 11/7/2012 12:31:29 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/7/2012 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
81GyGuy - regarding your getting together for a prostate cancer forum group, funny you should mention that as I'm heading to the monthly Prostate Cancer Forum at the Chicago Prostate Center tonight after work. This will be the 2nd one I attend, there were probably 30 some guys/gals at the 1st one. Great discussions were moderated by Dr. Moran - THE guy that performs the LDR Brachy's at the CPC. When I went I had already decided on and had scheduled the date for my LDR BT treatment, so my purpose for going was to hear from the guys that had the treatment done - what to expect, how did it go, how are they feeling today. It was immeasurably helpful to me at that point in my journey. The range of time since treatment ran from a few months to over 10 years!

The only problem I see is what I believe is the original reason for your post - HOW do we PCa out there for the world to see? This forum was awesome, but from what I can tell did little to nothing about getting the word out, outside of the members of our "club." I too am absolutely stewing about the lack of awareness for this beast, and am constantly thinking about how can I make a difference. Haven't come up with my answer yet, but I will.

On a related note re the whole "Pink" movement - I agree with the recent press that is basically saying it's being overdone and has gone off-track to it's original/admirable scope. And mind you I say this while watching my Mom and Aunt both be diagnosed with breast cancer this summer, mere weeks prior to my own PCa Dx.

Thanks for starting this thread - hopefully others will jump in with opinions as well as ideas!

Peace. . .
Posted 11/7/2012 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I've been to exactly one meeting of my local support group.

First I showed up for the meeting listed in a national organization's literature, only to find that it hadn't happened in "a long time" though one receptionist did vaguely recall it.

Turns out I had missed the actual meeting of a local group at a different location on a different day of the month, and the next meeting was the afternoon of the day I was having my prostate out. I had kinda wanted to talk to other folks locally before I went under, but that was not to be.

A couple of months after my operation I bothered to drive down to the meeting, which is at a somewhat inconvenient place and time. It was OK, but not really worth the drive time and gas. I have no particular motivation to go to it, nor any good reason to. To the extent that some people do show up there before treatment, there are those who can address most of their questions as well as I can who get paid to be there (hospital staff at the hospital where the meeting is held.)

I'm beginning to consider being more open about the fact that I've had it, but remain cautious, as well as not being all that enthralled with the ribbon foolishness (not to mention the non-specific nature of a "blue ribbon" when not at the state fair or a dog show - multiple diseases lay claim and I'm not sure I want to sort that out.) It does bring to mind a mildly risqué tune about an inebriated Scotsman ending with "I don't know where ye've been my lad, but I see you won first prize." Wearing one there would not do much to promote awareness, however.

I also get frankly tired of trying to refute the USPSTF ignorant crap that got such wide press and will kill a lot of men (but so long as they live for 10 years, no matter how horribly their disease progresses, that's just fine with the USPSTF.) This probably "the" major education issue in the US right now, and the "don't worry be happy stick your head in the sand and don't look" message got a huge distribution. Look for an uptick in "Newly diagnosed with Stage IV PCa" cases in about 10-15 years.

Mostly, I'm not going to devote my life to it. I've got other stuff going on, and time is limited. Which is also a reminder that I should probably depart these shores for another 6 months until Mr. Blood Test turns my mind back to this crud again.
Posted 11/7/2012 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
I think that getting 5 guys together to talk about PCa in a population of 120,000 is not that bad. You would like to see more, but I live in a much larger area, and my meeting attendance would be huge if I got that same ratio.
Posted 11/7/2012 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Lieutenant--You and Random are on the right track while I'm on a parallel mission..I have 3 major medical facilities in my town--2 are civilian and include Mayo and the other is VA..The 2 civilian hospitals subscribe to the AUA protocols regarding psa testing--tests start at age 40 under "informed consent" under the USPSTP's requirements and is part of an annual physical. I have attempted to get the VA's protocol for psa testing and never did get an answer to my question;
instead I listened for 5 minutes to a "study" which was as clear as mud. Since they are a federal facility I assume "no psa testing" based on the task force's recommendations..Do any of the forum members have an answer to my question? I am concerned and here's why.
UC Davis and VA Northern California ran a study that showed Viet Vets were 2 times more likely than non viet vets to have pca and were 4 times more likely to present with metastatic disease..Bcr was 42% higher also...Age was 5 years earlier-62-than non-vets..I read 1 of Tony's posts last year and watched a video by Dr Myers--He stated that with more wide-spread psa testing pca could be reduced to 3,000 deaths a year..Dr LeFevre--co-vice chairman of the task force doesn't deny psa screening saves lives..It's just that the benefit is much smaller than screening advocates think: His best case--widespread psa screening might avoid between 1400 and 2800 prostate cancer deaths among 28000 US men projected to die from the disease..that's a 5-10% reduction..I would think all men deserve better than to have their heads buried in the sand for them...
I'm don't ranting--for now! Lupron gives me highs and lows.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"seasoned" viet vet--age 70..dx'd sept 2010--psa 4.89--ct & bone scans negative--5 g8's and 4 g7's out of 10 cores w/ece--high volume..imrt (79.2) completed Feb 2011--now 3 years lupron--1 year to go-Maybe. psa after radiation .06 now <.03
P.S...It will be women like we have on this forum that will get it done..example: I never heard of psa or pca untill I are one--4 years of college wasted!
Bill
Posted 11/7/2012 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Bill -

As usual, I am buoyed up by your knowledge of what's going on and your grasp of the situation, whatever it is.

I have heard of the numbers you mention for us Nam vets. Please do keep posting them, as we have brothers here.

We'll all keep working to find out the things we need to find out, and then share what we learn here.

Steve
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