Breakthrough breast cancer ad

[Parsnipcake]

There has been a Breakthrough Breast cancer ad on over the past few days, encouraging you to text for a free breast check leaflet. There were several vignettes of women saying how important it was to check yourself, and saying that there were 5 signs and if you didn't know them you should get a leaflet. I texted, expecting them to be asked for address details and maybe a suggested donation. ( though absolutely nothing was mentioned about a donation in the ad). Within a few minutes I got a phone call from what sounded like a teenage boy, doing the full chugging routine. I was on the school run and he said he would call back, and has, twice.
AIBU to think the ads should be honest about what the text entails? On reading the reply text/ website further I see that I cannot receive the leaflet without doing the sales chat. If I wanted to chat about my breast cancer risks it would be to a nurse, not a chugger. Lots if charity ads are upfront about saying x would provide x but this simply seemed to be offering a helpful leaflet.

My mum, gran and all my aunts died of breast cancer, and I am undergoing the genetic testing process. I am certainly not anti- breast cancer charity. But I do not expect aggressive selling under the premise of help and advice.

Whilst I appreciate you didn't particularly want to be called, how do you thing charities get the funds to provide free information leaflets? They aren't free for the charity to produce and they must get the money from somewhere.

Obviously, calling people with an interest in the condition works, or they wouldn't do it.

YANBU You called up about the leaflet, it's quite intrusive and inappropriate of them to use the call for other purposes. It would really put me off.

I am shocked at this. It should not happen. You contacted a charity for health advice, and they tried to get cash off you. This is not how it should work. I am surprised at Breakthrough. I used to work with them a lot, and generally they are very good at avoiding this type of behaviour. I would send them an email just stating that you found the chugging off-putting when you were contacting them for medical advice and see what they say.

I am glad you are going down the genetic testing route: it is a good idea with your family history. You may well be eligible for the higher risk breast screening programme on the NHS.