A TINA.org investigation revealed that numerous cancer centers in the U.S. are deceptively using patient testimonials in their marketing materials, that is, testimonials that promote anecdotal, atypical patient results without clearly and conspicuously disclosing what the generally expected results for a patient in a similar situation would be. Moreover, within this sampling of deceptive testimonials many also promote clinical trials (i.e., research endeavors with no guarantee of therapeutic benefit), as well as novel treatments, such as immunotherapy and/or experimental procedures, without clearly and conspicuously disclosing their limitations, risks and relative rarity.

Below is a sampling of TINA.org’s findings for MD Anderson Cancer Center.  If any of the testimonials attribute the patient’s success to a clinical trial, the entry appears in bold italics.

This center was notified of TINA.org’s findings on October 22nd, 2018.

To learn more about the statistics and criteria used in TINA.org’s investigation, as well as other information, click here.

Lung

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Ben G. Lung, Stage 4 Website 4.7%
Billy W. Lung Website 18.6%
Bobbi J. Lung, Stage 4 Website 4.7%
Chuck M. Lung, Stage 3 Video (as seen on website) 29.7%
Fe C. Lung Video (as seen on Youtube) 18.6%
Gary C. Lung, Stage 4 Website 4.7%
Gary C. Lung, Stage 4 Twitter (link above) 4.7%
Georgia D. Lung, Stage 4 Video (as seen on website) 4.7%
James W. Lung Video (as seen on Youtube) 18.6%
Jose R. Lung, Stage 3 Website 29.7%
Lee S. Lung Video (as seen on website) 18.6%
Mary C. Lung Instagram 18.6%
Mitch Lung, Stage 4 Video (as seen on Facebook) 4.7%
Nadine B. Lung Website 18.6%
Pamela B. Lung Website 18.6%
Pat G. Lung, Stage 4 Website 4.7%
Pat G. Lung, Stage 4 Twitter (link above) 4.7%
Phil R. Lung Instagram 18.6%
Reba K. Lung, Stage 4 Website 4.7%
Suzan S. Lung Website 18.6%
Tom B. Lung Website 18.6%

Pancreatic

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Barbara S. Pancreatic, Stage 3 Website 11.5%
Jan B. Pancreatic Website 8.5%
Jan B. Pancreatic Facebook (link above) 8.5%
Jane M. Pancreatic, Stage 4 Website 2.7%
Mai S. Pancreatic Website 8.5%
Shannon M. Pancreatic Website 8.5%

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Melissa D. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Website 27.4%
Melissa D. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Twitter (link above) 27.4%
Amy M. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Website 27.4%
Bindu C. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Twitter (link) 27.4%
Charlotte P. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Video (as seen on Youtube) 27.4%
Dana M. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Website 27.4%
Erika E. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Website 27.4%
Erika E. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Instagram 27.4%
Gerald N. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Website 27.4%
Gillian K. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Website 27.4%
Jasmine R. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Instagram 27.4%
Kenneth W. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Website 27.4%
Lea W. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Website 27.4%
Paul N. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Website 27.4%
Roxie D. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Website 27.4%
Roxie D. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Facebook (link above) 27.4%
Shirley O. Acute Myeloid Leukemia Instagram 27.4%

Breast

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Gail B. Breast, Stage 4 Video (as seen on website) 27%
Janice Breast, Stage 4 Website 27%
Lisa N. Breast, Stage 4 Website 27%
Rachel M. Breast, Stage 4 Video (as seen on Youtube) 27%
Robbie J. Breast, Stage 4 Website 27%
Sandra B. Breast, Stage 4 Website 27%

Colorectal

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Amy S. Colorectal, Stage 4 Website 13.8%
Douglas S.  Colorectal, Stage 4 Website 13.8%
Jared L.  Colorectal, Stage 4 Website 13.8%
June G.  Colorectal, Stage 4 Website 13.8%
Lawrence M.  Colorectal, Stage 4 Video (as seen on Youtube) 13.8%

Melanoma

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Jason C. Melanoma, Stage 4 Video (as seen on Youtube) 22.5%
Jennifer W. Melanoma, Stage 4 Instagram 22.5%
J.P. R. Melanoma, Stage 4 Instagram 22.5%
Kate B. Melanoma, Stage 4 Website 22.5%
Randall B. Melanoma, Stage 4 Website 22.5%
Randy J. Melanoma, Stage 4 Website 22.5%
Tim S. Melanoma, Stage 4 Website 22.5%
Victor B. Melanoma, Stage 4 Website 22.5%

Esophageal

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Joey F. Esophageal Video (as seen on Youtube) 19.2%
Mary G. Esophageal Website 19.2%
Ricky H. Esophageal Instagram 19.2%
Roberto O. Esophageal, Stage 3 Website 23.6%

Kidney

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Herman C. Kidney, Stage 4 Website 11.6%
Travis K. Kidney, Stage 4 Website 11.6%
Travis K. Kidney, Stage 4 Twitter (link above) 11.6%
Marvin C. Kidney, Stage 4 Website 11.6%
Marvin C. Kidney, Stage 4 Twitter (link above) 11.6%
Primus M. Kidney, Stage 4 Website 11.6%
Rick F. Kidney, Stage 4 Website 11.6%
Rick F. Kidney, Stage 4 Facebook (link above) 11.6%

Liver

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Kelly A. Bile Duct, Stage 4 Website 2.4%
Eric K. Liver Twitter (link) 17.7%
Mike M. Liver Website 17.7%
Mike M. Liver Facebook (link above) 17.7%
Sally H. Liver Instagram 17.7%

Bladder

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Gabe G. Bladder, Stage 4 Website 4.8%
Jerry V. Bladder, Stage 4 Website 4.8%

Stomach

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Do L. Stomach Website 31.0%

Uterine

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Moina F. Uterine, Stage 4 Instagram 16.3%

Ovarian

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Dianne S. Ovarian Instagram 47.4%