Hi,

I can understand why you're asking this! Maybe even CRUK adverts need to be taken with a pinch of salt?

There's some background information including what the treatment was at www.itv.com/.../breast-cancer-survivor-at-heart-of-new-campaign-could-feel-cancer-disappearing

I find it hard to believe her consultant actually said she was "cancer free". I've had a similar outcome (after a LOT longer time) and, sensibly, the most my consultant will commit to saying is "the latest scan, endoscopy and biopsies show no visible symptoms of cancer"! I asked if that meant I was cancer free and he just repeated "the latest scan, endoscopy and biopsies show no visible symptoms of cancer".

I guess the patient on the advert was just lucky to be put on what seems to be a successful trial. 
 

All the best

Dave

Hi Pipestril, 

Thank you for your message and your feedback. I just wanted to let you know that we are referring your comments to our support services team.

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi

I agree, some chemotherapy treatments are brutal and have lasting side effects long after treatment is finished. After what is essentially successful cancer treatment there is the collateral damage to your quality of life. It's very difficult to accept that your hair is never going to grow back,  

Thanks davek, nice to have some support. Just having a down moment. 

Hi city1976, thanks for the support,  sorry your having a tough time. I hate the treatments too, ' it's life at a shocking cost " I had hoped for hair to return . All I can say is stay strong.  

Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. We referred this to our science team, but it has taken a while for the response to come through to us. If you need any further information or have any additional concerns we suggest you contact our Supporter Services team direct.

This is the response we have received: 

"Thank you for your question about the TV advert that you saw recently, and for approaching us about your specific concerns around the comment 'your cancer has just melted away'. We would like to reassure you that it is not Cancer Research UK’s intention to cause any harm or insensitivity towards anyone living with cancer.

"We always strive to be both realistic and sensitive in how we talk about cancer and will continue to do so in future campaigns. We run thorough testing on our advertising where we endeavour to involve a diverse range of people affected by cancer in our patient panels. This includes cancer patients in treatment, others in remission and also loved ones and carers who may have supported/are supporting a family member or friend through their cancer experience. This ensures we hear from and work alongside individuals with a breadth of lived experience, so that we can understand different perspectives on Cancer Research UK’s work. In addition, our advertising goes through rigorous approval checks with our internal legal and compliance teams as well as Clearcast, the UK’s television advertising pre-approval service, ahead of launching to the public.

"That said, we always welcome further thoughts and feedback from our supporters. We hope this response addresses your concerns. Thank you again for reaching out."

Hi, if I understand the term correctly, it does seem to have been the case for me. I am almost a pensioner! After 7 rounds of chemo and 4 Herceptin injections, there was no evidence of cancer. I then had surgery and radiotherapy. I will continue with Herceptin injections for a total of 1 year (18 courses at 3-weekly intervals). What was your diagnosis and treatment plan? Best wishes, Amy x

Amy 321 

amazing news to be told this and so well it may continue .

love Lara x

I completely agree with you Pipestril and don't get that advert either. I got what is called a complete response to my chemo which the hospital were excited about and so was I. I'd been on 3 chemo drugs and the last was in the Taxane group. My Oncologist called it a cancer melter. But my breast tumours turned to calcification and so the same large area still needed cut out. Does anyone's cancer actually melt to nothing meaning they don't even need an operation? Is this possible? 

I kind of get the other advert that says You don't see it, you feel it. You feel what the cancer treatments do to you. And then everyone tells you how well you look after the cancer treatments but you're exhausted, especially from the chemo. But nobody can see that. I doubt that anyone other than those who've had cancer treatments will understand that message though. 

I wish we could be asked for input into the CRUK adverts. I'd love to be involved.