Look on the bright side? Cancer patient critical of overly optimistic marketing
Lori Wallace, after living nearly a year past the median survival rate for women with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, knows she’s on borrowed time.
Accepting such a reality, the mother of an 11-year-old boy is irked by the “excessive positivity” in healthcare marketing. In an story on NPR.com, Wallace sees advertisements selling stories of miraculous recoveries and happy, healed patients.
"I didn't say 'yes' to cancer," Wallace says. "I have tried everything I can. I have done clinical trials. I have said 'yes' to every possible treatment. And the cancer doesn't care."
In the story, the San Jose, California, resident talks about her essay for a support groups called, "F*** Silver Linings and Pink Ribbons.” She also stresses the need for realism in dealing with cancer.
Check out the story here:
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.