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Dangerous misinformation on Facebook

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 7/22/2016 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
I just found a sponsored link on my Facebook page that is filled with dangerous and inaccurate information about prostate cancer. I listened to only a few minutes of the "doctor" who was droning on about the danger of taking prescription drugs to improve BPH symptoms, explaining that these drugs can cause prostate cancer, hinting that the secrets he was going to share can reduce BPH and reverse prostate cancer, and other misleading information. This was from some group called the Prostate Cancer Health Line.

I put a comment there warning that this was a really bad source of information, and actually dangerous in its failure to tell men with certain symptoms to see their urologists as soon as possible.
Posted 7/22/2016 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
There's a bunch of that out there. Good you called it out.

Andrew
Posted 7/22/2016 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Glad you put a stop to it. Cut it off at the knees!
Posted 7/22/2016 6:26 AM (GMT 0)
the internet a dangerous place. I am vision challenged and got caught out once. face-book, I tried but got swamped and did not know who or what I was doing. stick to e-mail and skype!!! but good work on shuttin' down a shonk.
Posted 7/22/2016 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you Clock. Too many probably just ignored it and moved on. Unfortunately there have been snake oil salesmen around forever and it's "buyer beware" especially those who are sick and vulnerable.

Jim
Posted 7/22/2016 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
I probably saw the same ad... The one I saw was pushing pomegranate juice... I didn't spend too much time reading it.
Posted 7/22/2016 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
By any chance was it Dr Oz?
Posted 7/22/2016 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
No, not Dr. Oz. Some guy I've never heard of.

Facebook seems to know that I've had prostate cancer. Again this morning there was a sponsored ad regarding prostate cancer, but this time the information was well sourced and accurate.

Occasionally, though, they use the sponsored ads that suggest that all prostate problems can be solved with saw palmetto or some other supplement. You can Google Prostate Cancer Health Line to see some of their offerings.
Posted 7/22/2016 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Apparently, and it's probably a google algorithm, sites that subscribe to the service, and facebook is one I guess, poll your search history from google to feed you ads related to your most prominate searches. Obviously, they only feed you ads of paid sponsors.
Posted 7/23/2016 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
I use FluffBustingPurity (FB Purity) to eliminate facebook ads. Life is MUCH better without them. It is a downloadable extension for the browser. Free and no other issues in the year or two I have had it. I must update occasionally. Plus it has other actions to improve the FB appearance and security.
Posted 7/24/2016 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
The internet is evil. Don't look at it.

except for the posts I write.
They're okay.

Andrew
Posted 7/24/2016 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Tarhoosier:m Thanks for the tip on Fluff Buster. Installed this AM and no ads!!
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