Last night the BBC reoprted on the approval of Herceptin for early stage breast cancer in the UK. Talk about talking the drug up!
Yesterday the UK Government approved the drug Herceptin for use in early stage breast cancer. Yesterday BBC's evening news talked up Herceptin's clinical effectiveness in a way that betrays the corporation's bias against reporting.
For a more considered view of Herceptin, from the BBC, you need to use their new media outlet.
Why bother with the BBC in a blog about new media? Because it's a powerful opinion former and because of its self-regard. "Admired all over the world" is the kind of self referencing that needs a challenge, particularly when the obvious news values are missing.
Herceptin is a drug that helps combat tumours driven by the Her 2 protein. Her 2 tumours in early stage breast cancer are particularly dangerous. Any woman who has a Her 2 tumour will do whatever it takes to maximise her chances of survival.
On the BBC's website we start to find the news missing from its more influential news broadcast. 1. Herceptin puts women at risk of heart failure. 2. We don't know anything about Herceptin's effects longer term because trials were cut short in order to fast track the treatment.
Though the BBC's website does a better job of accurately reporting Herceptin, it too falls short of the standards taught in journalism schools.
Where are the sources of authority for and against? There are experts out there who feel the public clamour for Herceptin has undermined the approval process and there are experts who believe Herceptin is of very marginal benefit, if any ,once we know more about its effect on the heart and once we decontruct the hype.
