Gogglebox and Cancer Appeal
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I have watched a couple of these now and like the celebs and 'ordinary folk' on the programme have cried along with them at the heartbreaking stories told.
Everyone knows I am an older LD member so believe me cancer appeals have been going all my life but the sad thing is......nothing has changed, no cures, just a few better control drugs and a rise in cases. 1 in 3 ten years ago, 1 in 2 now. Yet we still hear the constant chant of stand up to cancer, we WILL find a cure, cancer we're coming for you etc.
If we haven't found one by now I doubt we ever will and it is to the drug companies benefit if we don't. Same with other diseases that need rest of life drugs.
I feel the same about other appeals, Oxfam, nothing changes, Red Nose etc. The asking and giving continues ad infinitum but the problems never go away.
I watched Gogglebox this week, and like you enjoyed the mix of celebs and ordinary people - all of whom seemed genuinely moved by the stories of cancer patients. I was shocked at the 1 in 2 statistic. I thought it was 1 in 3. More people are succumbing to cancer - largely due to, diet, lifestyle and environmental issues. I think that there have been successes in cancer treatment and reducing cancer related deaths In recent years. I agree with you that whilst there are millions to be made in pharmaceuticals, a cure will not be a priority.
This whole world is run on corporate greed and I can't see anything improving while that is the case, including the environment. I am at a loss as to the answer though.
It has occurred to me since posting this article that no diseases have actually had a cure found for them. We have done away with a few things like Smallpox by vaccines but can you think of any cures that have actually been found for diseases that plague us. The best we can hope for are drugs to alleviate symptoms.
Even antibiotics cannot be called a cure as if they had not been invented a person would either die from an infection or get better without help.
So, it does make you wonder if big pharma have a vested interest in not finding cures as it guarantees them profit for all ailments for a lifetime.
Why do you think cannabis is illegal? Its cause of pharmaceutical companies not through the bullshit people think. It has medicinal properties and you could grow your own is just not profitable to pharmaceutical companies.
Getsome has a point though. The pharmaceutical companies make billions selling their products to alleviate pain but cannabis is cheap in comparison. I appreciate its slightly off the chat but everyone has an opinion so please don’t be harsh to getsome.
Getsome I did, several times and have done again, no cannabis is mentioned, no mention of anything illegal either. All lynibis said was the best we could hope for were drugs to alleviate symptoms.
lilyflower read the bottom of what she wrote. That’s what I was referring too. You could grow your own and not buy paracetamol and many more drugs.
I didn't see the appeal & I can understand your feelings, but what's the alternative ? I rather like to think that there is hope. Just think about the medical advances in the last 100 years, polo, TB have practically been eradicated in the West, heart by passes, organ transplants etc. Research and development cost £ only a very few new drugs are ever approved
But as I said, the ones you quote have been wiped out by vaccines, not cures. TB is rife in GB today. Also transplants etc give longer life, but again not a cure. And most heart patients are on drugs for the rest of their lives, more money to pharma.
I know you didn't mention cannabis but while I am posting, just to point out I never intended this post to be about that. If it were legalised for medical use via doctor etc it would make more money for pharma so not sure why it isn't. Be less sold on the streets then.
https://www.nhs.uk/news/medical-practice/tb-rises-in-uk-and-london/
What's the alternative just go back to the old days when very few people made it to old age. I have asthma and drugs have made a big difference in my quality of life.
I think we are extremely lucky to have the NHS in this country Lynibis
beccatavender oh dear do you really think that is what I am saying? Either I am writing wrongly or others are reading wrongly. I am directing my anger toward big pharmaceutical companies who I believe are not spending money on researching cures but would rather keep us on tablets for the rest of our lives, making them huge amounts of money.
They have a moral responsibility to find cures rather than depending on charities to do it.
I believe government should run these companies with scientists and technicians earning a decent wage and incentivise them to find cures with a big bonus. If these companies were run in a non profit making way it would benefit the nhs, as they would have a direct line to the drugs rather than paying greedy shareholders a fortune.
I am a stalwart fan of the NHS and have lots to be grateful to them for. Please do not infer that I do not treasure our wonderful NHS as I am on two lots of life long drugs that I would probably have to pay for in many other countries.
Lynibis the reason I said it was if it was legal you could grow your never ending supply and never have to buy basic pharmaceutical drugs which would obviously dent their profits. I’m not trying to change it subject I’m just using it as an example
Ideally I agree that governments should pay for research, but unfortunately we don't live in an ideal world, big pharma make they £ then hopefully it is then available on the NHS hate to live in countries where you have to pay and many people can't afford live saving drugs Lynibis
beccatavender I agree but remember it is the NHS that has to pay the huge amount of pounds to big pharma for drugs that cost pennies to make. It sickens me.
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