That survival rate came from a study in Lancet Oncology. It is not controversial that the US has exceptionally high cancer survival rates.
This is attributed to two factors: much more testing/screening than in most countries, which detects cancer at earlier and more treatable stages (though at high cost), and most new cancer-related treatments are developed and available in the US first so any resulting reductions in mortality show up in that population first.
As an example, my "anecdote" was cured of terminal cancer by an experimental drug therapy in late trials. Several years later it is FDA approved and becoming available in the rest of the world but at the time the only people receiving that treatment were in the US and it was correlated with a material increase in survival rates for that kind of cancer.
What study? Did it break down other factors for survival or are you arguing that the 350 million Americans all have exactly the same chance of surviving cancer?
I don't know why you're quoting "anecdote," you gave a textbook example of anecdotal evidence, which is not data. My uncle Bob survived testicular torsion, therefore all uncle Bobs will survive testicular torsion. How many people in the U.S. with that exact same cancer did not receive that particular experimental drug therapy? Did that one person, or even all the people included in the trial, change the survival rates in America during that time period?
You're thinking of a different form of abuse. Absolutely a police officer is more likely to arrest someone whom he does not identify with. That's the type of thing and why police districts try to create some community bond. I've never seen this bond be successful long-term except in small towns where everyone knows each other.
By sharing a personal story along with how medication was able to help me? My position is leaving it up to mental health professionals to recommend whether someone needs medications, and encouraging people to see multiple professionals, including second opinions, before beginning anything as serious as therapy or medication.
Your kneejerk defensiveness is an indication that maybe it isn't "absolute bullshit" or "quite frankly dangerous." Not everybody has had the exact same wonderful experience with SSRI medication, and personally I can relate to the problems described in the article. Please don't immediately assume someone who disagrees with you is "anti-science". This isn't anti-vaccination nonsense we're talking about here.
