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 Moffitt 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.

Name Cancer Type Testimonial SEER 5-Year Survival Rate*
Angela Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Website 27.4%
Beth Brain Website 33.2%
Bob Bladder, Stage 3 Video (as seen on Youtube) 34.9%
Dan Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Video (as seen on website) 27.4%
Dawn Lung, Stage 4 Website 1 4.7%
Dawn Lung, Stage 4 Website 2 4.7%
Debra S. Liver Video (as seen on Youtube) 17.7%
Donna F. Esophageal, Stage 4 Video (as seen on website) 4.8%
Donna Ovarian Video (as seen on website) 47.4%
Frank J. Esophageal, Stage 4 Website 4.8%
Gail Lung, Stage 4 Video (as seen on website) 4.7%
Gail Lung, Stage 4 Video (as seen on Youtube) 4.7%
Harriett B. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Website 27.4%
Ian Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Video (as seen on website) 27.4%
Judy Ovarian Video (as seen on website) 47.4%
Julie Colon, Stage 4 Website 13.8%
Keith Colon, Stage 4; Liver, Stage 4 Video (as seen on website) 13.8%; 2.4%
Kenneth S. Oral, Stage 4 Video (as seen on website) 39.0%
Kenneth S. Oral, Stage 4 Website 39.0%
Lori Brain Video (as seen on website) 33.2%
Lori Brain Video (as seen on Youtube) 33.2%
Marjorie Lung, Stage 4 Website 4.7%
Marty Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Video (as seen on website) 27.4%
Mary Jo Melanoma, Stage 4 Video (as seen on website) 22.5%
Mike Pancreatic, Stage 4 Video (as seen on website) 2.7%
Mike Pancreatic, Stage 4 Video (as seen on Facebook) 2.7%
Patty Pancreatic Video (as seen on website) 8.5%
Rick Esophageal Website 19.2%
Robbie Brain Video (as seen on website) 33.2%
Tamara Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Video (as seen on website) 27.4%
Theodore C. Esophageal Video (as seen on Youtube) 19.2%
Tiffany Lung, Stage 3 Website 29.7%
Yolanda Stomach Video (as seen on website) 31.0%