Polycythemia vera got a mention on America’s oldest soap opera

[Manouche]

« Writing a [rare disease] into a main character plot on daytime soap opera to our knowledge is unprecedented,” Prasad said »

« The episode describes polycythemia vera, and depicts a blood clot one of General Hospital’s lead characters, Anna Devane, experienced as a consequence of the cancer. Devane’s doctor warns her that if she leaves her disease untreated, she may suffer a heart attack or stroke. When the doctor suggests she start on the usual treatments for the disease — anticoagulation drugs and drawing blood, Devane asks “But this protocol sounds like you are treating the symptoms of this cancer; how do we beat it?”

According to Prasad’s paper, these comments “may constitute subtle promotion of ruxolitinib.”

vox.com/2017/5/18/15655520/...

[LottiSz]

Thank you for drawing our attention to this. Could you tell us which episode they are talking about? It would be great to show it to the people around us who are incredulous about PV as they cannot fathom a different type of cancer.