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 Seattle Cancer Care.  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 and sent a response to TINA.org on October 30, 2018.

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

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Anita M. Colon, Stage 4 Website 13.8%
Barbara C. Colon, Stage 4 Website 13.8%
Bill Z. Liver Website 17.7%
Brenda C. Esophageal, Stage 2-3 Website 23.6%
Cecilia I. Lung, Stage 4 Website 4.7%
Dan B. Pancreatic Website 8.5%
Dave M. Esophageal Website 19.2%
David D. Melanoma, Stage 4 Video (as seen on website) 22.5%
Deirdre T. Brain Website 33.2%
Denny P. Bladder, Stage 4 Website 4.8%
Frank S. Pancreatic Website 8.5%
Harland G. Kidney, Stage 4 Website 11.6%
Jana D. Colon, Stage 4 Video (as seen on Youtube) 13.8%
Janet B. Lung Website 18.6%
Janet B. Lung Video (as seen on Youtube) 18.6%
Kim S. Ovarian Website 47.4%
Leon S. Pancreatic Website 8.5%
Marc M. Kidney, Stage 4 Website 11.6%
Mark R. Esophageal, Stage 0-1 Website 45.2%
Miggie O. Pancreatic Website 8.5%
Moon W. Colon, Stage 4 Website 13.8%
Sunshine P. Lung, Stage 4 Video (as seen on Youtube) 4.7%