Reporters all over the country had been sent an announcement about a revolutionary colon cancer blood test.
Well, Katie Hobson of US News & World Report checked it out and reports that the claims are long on hype but short on proof.
Yet, she writes, “a company press release issued on December 14 begins by stating that ’embarrassing and sometimes uncomfortable colonoscopies may soon be a thing of the past.’ “
This is how it goes in health care marketing these days: feed the worried well with the promise of more screening tests that are easier to do.
Meantime, Sharon Begley of Newsweek sends her kudos to us for our recent posts on colonoscopy questions. Thanks, Sharon. Just doing our job.
Opinions on other issues in news, journals, PR, advertising, marketing
Puleeeeease... this 'game changer' weight loss drug causes more nausea and vomiting than a placebo. Some game, some change. My friend Gary would spank you for using the eighth word medical reporters should never, ever use. @garyschwitzer @thackerpd
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/toolkit/just-journalists-writing-tips-case-studies/7-words-and-more-you-shouldnt-use-in-medical-news/ https://twitter.com/OttawaCitizen/status/1361426796126830597
A scary @statnews Op-Ed warns that govt attempts to rein in Pharma may cut off access to "life-changing" drugs.
It takes @garyschwitzer to let us know: the author spent 10 years as Pfizer's public-policy chief. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1360325022578053123
.@TranspariMED criticizes STAT op-ed for not disclosing pharma funding of author’s institute - similar to criticism we’ve made of STAT op-eds in the past. @transparify @ThinkTankWatch @icer_review https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2021/02/transparency-watchdog-criticizes-stats-non-disclosure-on-pro-pharma-op-ed/
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