Should medical issuses be used in soap?

[Peter]

Should medical issues like alzheimer's or cancer be used in soap, Do you think it helps or hinders real suffers? Or does it make poeple more aware?

Finally, where should the line be drawn? SHould such things be used just to get those bes oh so important ratings that the shows producers love?

What do you think?

[deborah]

These days there are so many illnesses that affect people.
I think if the show does it properly, then I do not mind. If they don't rush the story, get all of the facts right, don't turn it into comedy and does a serious job with it, then it can only make people more aware of these illnesses.

Now if I was going through one of these illnesses, I would probably answer differently. I doubt I would want to watch it.

[wendy]

I agree with Deborah. As long as the illness is portrayed realistically without the Hollywood Hype, I think it helps to bring awareness to the people that watch. Many people are not aware of many of the implications of diseases nor are they touched personally by them, so IMO, it is a good way to educate people in some sort of fashion. Wow, what a run on sentence.

[sootycat]

I think it can be useful, but not if it is done over the top and just to increase ratings, and for sensationalism.

When the Alma 'Cervical cancer ' story was shown, the number of woman seeking smears, increased dramatically.

A lot of people have seeked medical help over quite a few illnesses.

And I like the idea that they always put up a helpline at the end of the episodes now.

[Peter]

Yeah, very helpful, though it's vital they do they're research properly and get the right facts, and the right message across.

I know they do have proper researchers for this and anything, but it is anextremyl important point. There was also a soap, can't think which, which did similar and the number of men getting tested for testicular cancer shot up aslo, so it can be a very beneficial thing if done correctly.

[Vanessa]

I'm sure it helps bring awareness to some illnesses as long as they are presently accurately...but at the same time, soaps entertain us and depressing storylines aren't entertainment to me!

[plaidcat]

I remember when Rita almost died from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. It was not a well known thing, but throught the show it made it a big discussion so I think it helped. Alot of people did not know what the symptoms were, but the show let them know what to check for.

[stix]

I hated how they did Alzheimers with Anthonys wife lets hope they do it better with Mike ( no we haven't started in NZ yet?)

[Addy]

I really wish they 'would' have more health related topics pop up in the scripts. ***spoiler***I'm looking forward to seeing how the Alzheimers topic is done with Mike. I'll hate to see himgo though.***
I've seen clips of Alma dealing with the cancer and was choked up by it. It was really done well.

[plaidcat]

**** Spoiler - Oh I am dreading this upcoming storyline with Mike. I think we are beginning to see it, since twice now they have had him repeat things or ask questions that were just answered 5 minutes before. People are giving him funny looks but no one has said anything yet. *********** End Spoiler

[stix]

I found watching Alma die on the spoilers strange as she was around for ages on NZ Tv long after people were crying for her and that beautiful poem they used at her funeral

[plaidcat]

Yes, I think this Alzheimers storyline with Mike is going to be a long one. Over here it is beginning, and so far Penny is the only one to twig that something might be wrong.

[stix]

well anything could be better than the charlie shelley storyline yawn

[plaidcat]

Right, it went on way too long.

[stix]

it still is here