To be sick and tired of the sight of tv Cancer ads???

[TillyMW]

I don’t mean to be dismissive of all the good work these cancer organisations undoubtedly do, but I am sick of the sight of the ubiquitous TV cancer ad!

I’m not sure if it’s just that they are more noticeable to me now I’ve been through the cancer treatment mill - 6 months of chemo and 2 ops followed by daily radiotherapy etc etc, but there seems to be no respite from cancer ads. Have they increased in number/frequency of airing, or is it really just me?

It is difficult enough to have some time free of thinking about cancer because of the anxiety such a diagnosis and the treatment itself causes, and because of the lingering ongoing pain, as well as the havoc it has wreaked on my body, but watching afternoon tv makes it all but impossible to get it out of my headspace.

I think I might be being just a bit extra ranty as my poor much loved dog was put to sleep yesterday and I’m feeling overwhelmingly sad with regular doses of fed upness with these damned ads.

OK, rant over (until the next ad anyway)!

Am I the only one who finds them depressing / irritating / too pervasive? Thanks in advance for your time.

independent website Charity Choice
Cancer Research UK: 60.7p charitable activities, 24p on fundraising, and 15.3p generating income.
was my source

I find those adverts very upsetting especially the cancer doesn’t care about you one.

However I agree with pp that a huge amount of research will have gone into what will be effective in getting people to donate.

I wish the government would adequately fund research into cancer and then there would be no need for charities to do it

@Toooldtobearsed2

I agree with you. I hate the 'battling' image. I hate those ads. And I really REALLY wish that toned down ads would work just as well. But they don't.

Unfortunately for us, the phrases and the tone that we hate are the ones that bring in the money.

completely agree. I didn’t want to see them either. All that stuff about fighting it, coming to get it and winning the battle, blah. Possibly it was my frame of mind at the time but they suggested to me that if I didn’t manage too, it would be because I just hadn’t tried hard enough. Really used to piss me off.
They need to raise vital funds, yes, we get that, but it could be done with more sensitivity.
Most things around cancer could tbh. I’ve given up listening to Woman’s Sodding Hour because of the number of times Ive heard women talking about mastectomies as being “mutilated”, “butchered”, “scarred for life”. I don’t feel like that at all, just bloody grateful.

So , so sorry you’re having such a crappy time right now Tilly (and other posters).

@Strawberrypancakes

It might annoy you to be reminded of Cancer, but those charities want future generations to have kinder treatments, better treatments or not get cancer at all.. I would imagine some of the previous research would’ve benefited your treatment.. why deny others this?

That comment is unbelievabley condescending. You have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve been on here for years and never been so angry with anyone.

Yep I hate all the cancer ads. I'm half way through my radiation and there's billboards, TV ads,etc.....its constant. I now don't watch normal TV or listen to the radio.

Hazlenutpie

Just couldn’t even go to this one!

Sorry you've been upset by a poster as thoughtless as some of the ads themselves.

Jamieson90 Forgive me for correcting you but I think it's actually 'Head, shoulders, cheese on toast, cheese on toast' !

I think Dyrne has said it best:
Yes, we need to find cures for this disease and that involves funding; and often the most effective fundraising techniques are a little bit ruthless. That doesn’t mean we have to shit all over individual people when they express their feelings.

@Strawberrypancakes

I have so much empathy, sympathy and experience of cancer sufferers.

Actually, you don’t.

@Strawberrypancakes

I’m saying nothing further to you because I don’t want to be banned.

I absolutely understand how some people may find such adverts upsetting. I guess that the charities look at the return on investment and this is part of their decision making.

I'm much more concerned that we need charities to fund research. I don't work for a cancer charity btw

As PP have said, I recognise the importance of these ads but there is something very inconsiderate in the tone. Similar to DGM had just died of cancer and a Marie Curie fundraiser made me cry with their stupid overly emotive 'pitch'. DGM said her Marie Curie nurse was the biggest support she had outside of family, so I obviously want them to keep getting funding, but on a personal level it was an awful experience and you'd think more could be done to establish more about the person they are talking to before jumping in. I can't imagine how hard it must be for those of you who have cancer to see these ads constantly :(

The language used by some of them feels like you’re being kicked while you’re down (which is what one or two posters on here seem to want to do, for unfathomable reasons).
I’m sure there are kinder ways to get the message across.

Strawberrypancakes You know, I actually thought that CRUK was one of the good ones, often showing research and scientists in their ads, proudly talking about the victories and not just relentless misery. They really pour the money and effort into cutting edge treatment research and produce clear guidance and help drive government policy; not just bleating on about “awareness”.

It’s a shame that your appalling behaviour on this thread has left me with a bad taste in my mouth about what really is a very good charity.

Patronising as well as offensive. Do go away, Strawberry, you've upset enough people for one day.

Strawberrypancakes FFS no one is saying they don’t want to cure cancer.

And to say people are “offended” by the adverts like it’s some sort of ‘Political Correctness gorn mad’ instead of what it actually is: people saying they’ve found the adverts upsetting on a personal level due to their own experiences.

I suggest you read back your own words:

“They do it because they want to help, they want to be kind and it’s incredibly close to their heart.”

You have shown very little kindness on this thread tonight. There are much better, kinder, gentler ways of putting across the message that you have (and the stupid thing is that I actually agree with you!)

Just because you work or volunteer for a good cause; it doesn’t mean you are automatically a good person. You still need to display kindness and empathy, you don’t get a free pass to be a dick to people.

That comment is unbelievabley condescending. You have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve been on here for years and never been so angry with anyone.

Yes. Strawberrypancakes, your behaviour in this thread is absolutely awful. I can see you won't have the grace or self-awareness to apologise but you can at least leave the thread.

Strawberry "makes me so passionate about how damaging threads like this can be to vital research"*

I think you’ve done more damage than anyone stating they dislike the adverts. Your attitude and responses are disgraceful.