Celebrities and cancer

I recently watched a 60 Minutes Australia segment about Elle Macpherson's experience with breast cancer. She chose minimal conventional, evidenced based treatment and instead did a bunch of alternative "treatments". She feels she is healed and does not expect to have a recurrence.

This segment bothered me. I was concerned about the message she was sending to other women who are diagnosed. Then I saw this follow-up segment addressing that previous segment. The interview is with a Medical Oncologist (MO). MO's direct cancer treatments. There are other types of oncologists. Someone with cancer will likely be referred to an MO first.

This is an excellent segment and gives a decent idea of what happens with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Move beyond pink and frilly.

 

[Jae]

Macpherson’s story is definitely unique. It’s crucial for people to grasp the importance of evidence-based treatments.

The follow-up segment with the MO sounds much-needed. MOs are indeed the go-to specialists for direct cancer treatments. They play a vital role in guiding patients through their journey with scientifically-backed methods

 

[Northwind]

Sadly Macpherson's story is not unique.

What is your experience with MO's?

 

[Jae]

Sadly Macpherson's story is not unique.

What is your experience with MO's?

No personal experience myself. It's other people in my family who've been treated by them. As you know, they're the quarterbacks of the cancer treatment team - calling the shots and making sure everyone's on the same page

 

[Northwind]

There is no need to repeat what has already been said. Mansplaining is not necessary.

Please be respectful.

 

[Jae]

There is no need to repeat what has already been said. Mansplaining is not necessary.

Please be respectful.

To what exactly are you referring?

 

[Northwind]

To what exactly are you referring?

As you know, they're the quarterbacks of the cancer treatment team - calling the shots and making sure everyone's on the same page

 

[Jae]

@Northwind - You asked me, "What is your experience with MO's?" It was just the two of us participating in the thread at that time. I went ahead and shared my thoughts. I believe that sharing what I've learned from close family members who have been treated by MO's fits perfectly within the spirit of your question. It's all about connecting and grasping each other's experiences, right? Hope that helps clarify things

 

[Northwind]

@Northwind - You asked me, "What is your experience with MO's?" It was just the two of us participating in the thread at that time. I went ahead and shared my thoughts. I believe that sharing what I've learned from close family members who have been treated by MO's fits perfectly within the spirit of your question. It's all about connecting and grasping each other's experiences, right? Hope that helps clarify things

Actually this is where it started

MOs are indeed the go-to specialists for direct cancer treatments. They play a vital role in guiding patients through their journey with scientifically-backed methods

I appreciate that you may have been trying to be helpful. Still, it is an example of a time where you come across as peachy or as mansplaining. It comes across as you telling me I was right. I don't need that.

I'm sorry you have close family members who have been through this. It's a tough spot to be in.

 

[Jae]

Actually this is where it started

When I said this, "MOs are indeed the go-to specialists for direct cancer treatments. They play a vital role in guiding patients through their journey with scientifically-backed methods" I really just meant to show agreement with you. I apologise if I erred in some way in doing that.

I appreciate that you may have been trying to be helpful. Still, it is an example of a time where you come across as peachy or as mansplaining. It comes across as you telling me I was right. I don't need that.

Grasped, and thank you for appreciating that my intentions were good.

I'm sorry you have close family members who have been through this. It's a tough spot to be in.

Thank you for your kind words. They're appreciated. I truly believe that even in tough times, there’s always a silver lining. We’ve grown closer as a family and learned to cherish every moment

 

[JayneWonders]

I was under the care of one oncologist until staging / plan were ascertained, then was transferred to care of radiation oncologist.

 

[Northwind]

I was under the care of one oncologist until staging / plan were ascertained, then was transferred to care of radiation oncologist.

I've had both. The medical oncologist oversees my treatment overall. The radiation oncologist directed my radiation. I haven't seen the radiation onc in a few years.

 

[JayneWonders]

Yes, the primary for me flipped due to the type of radiation. It's fascinating and why no two stories are the same even for the same type of cancer

 

[Northwind]

Yes, the primary for me flipped due to the type of radiation. It's fascinating and why no two stories are the same even for the same type of cancer

Cancer is more than one disease essentially. There are so many variables like hormone status, sub-type etc. I suspect there's even some differences in how different oncologists work.

That's one of my beefs about the breast cancer "awareness" campaigns. It makes it look like one entity that's easy to treat.

 

[JayneWonders]

Agreed.

 

[JayneWonders]

back to your original post

This is an excellent interview.

It covers the challenge re why people sometimes reject conventional treatments, and are in shock.
It also is important to all of us, due to the impact of celebrity messaging.

We look at Taylor Swift's impact re the US elections - definitely someone who is influencing simply based on who she is.
I don't know of Elle McPherson, but I would worry about her influence especially with those who don't have the ability to analyze or are in shock.

it is also an interesting conversation when your body is your product.

 

[Mendalla]

The whole business of people taking medical or political or whatever advice from celebrities baffles me but I guess that just means I don't fit the profile.

If I wanted advice on how to look stunning on a runway, I would ask Elle MacPherson. If I wanted advice on how to write an album of hit songs, I would ask Taylor Swift.

But for medical advice? A qualified doctor with an appropriate specialization.

For political advice? Not sure, actually. Maybe a good, relatively unbiased analyst?

Stay in your lane is what I am saying, I guess.

 

[Northwind]

@JayneWonders this is the video about Elle.

 

[Northwind]

But for medical advice? A qualified doctor with appropriate qualifications.

I didn't get the sense she's offering advice. Just the mere fact that she is taking this route has an influence. Shannon Dougherty, Suzanne Somers and Olivia Newton John also had an influence. People are always looking for an easier cancer treatment. If something looks good for someone else, then people might try it.