Facebook and a Mandurah radio station have blocked “life-saving” health ads using the words “pee” and “poo” because they deem the words too offensive, says a Cancer Council spokeswoman.
Cancer Council WA’s Find Cancer Early campaign video deliberately uses plain language to explain the symptoms of bowel, lung, prostate, breast and skin cancer to over-40s in country WA.
Coast Live radio have agreed to play the ads, but only when children are not in the car between the hours of 8.30am to 3pm, said Cancer Council spokeswoman Cassandra Clayforth.
“But this unfortunately means we’re missing the over-40s who are at work during that time and won’t hear it,” she said.
Facebook flat-out refused to use the campaign.
Facebook told the organisation they would not use the ads because they contained “specific personal attributes of physical/medical/mental condition” including “blood in your poo?”, “Bloody poo?”, “Do you have cancer?”, “Noticed blood in your poo?”
“This kind of language can feel personal in nature and we don't want users to feel singled out as it leads to high negative sentiment.
“The language of the ad should be focused on the product and not users”.
Both Facebook and Coast Live have been contacted by the Mandurah Mail for comment.
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Ms Clayforth said regional West Australians were 20 to 30 per cent more likely to die within five years of a cancer diagnosis.
“Unfortunately, a poor understanding of cancer symptoms and the fact country people often delay going to the doctor is causing too many avoidable deaths,” she aid.
“We know these education messages will save lives, so Facebook’s refusal to let us get them out there is disappointing and somewhat baffling.
“Facebook is one of the only ways we can reach people over-40 in some rural and remote parts of WA, so not being able to use it is a big issue.
Ms Clayforth said they feared changing the ads to indirect wording, could be ineffective or confuse people even more.
She said the online and radio ads will be complemented by a TV ad featuring WA country doctors.
“If every TV stations and all but one radio station don’t have an issue with it, we really can’t understand why Facebook does,” Ms Clayforth said.
“The fact is, the earlier cancer is found, the better your treatment outcomes are, so it’s vital you know what to look out for and see your doctor when something’s not right.
“If you’re over 40 and experience any of the following for more than four weeks – new or changed spots on your skin, trouble peeing; runny poo; unexplained weight loss; any unusual pain, lumps or swelling; a persistent cough or breathlessness – get it checked out.
“Even more importantly, if you ever have blood in your pee or poo, or cough up blood, it’s especially essential that you don’t ignore it - see your doctor straight away.”
