This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Interesting. I was surprised that 50% of Canadians had not heard of the "liberation treatment" for CCSVI/MS considering the significant amount of media coverage. When I meet people and they learn I have MS, it's often the first thing I'm asked about.

It was good to see 13% said they were "well informed" (That's probably many of us here!) and 37% had seen, read or heard about it.

I was somewhat taken aback that 82% of Canadians believe the treatment should be availabe to Canadians with MS in Canadian hospitals. Also, 75% thought there should be government-funded clinical trials. I was left perplexed as to how 82% or 75% could form those opinions when 50% reported they had not previously heard of it. That may reflect strong Canadian values of universal health care.

Also a surprise was that 61% of respondents sided with Canadians who have had the treatment outside of the country and report relief. Only 12% support doctors who claim the treatment is unproven and risky. Again, I'm perplexed about how the 50% of people who had not previously heard of the treatment could form those opinions. Only 27% expressed no opinion. We Canadians do like to be heard!

Angus Reid, who conducted the survey, is a well respected, independent polling organization. I don't think the results were skewed by surveying only interested parties. It will be interesting to see if this affects public policy.

In the US, I'd guess 99% of people have not heard of it!

Cece wrote:In the US, I'd guess 99% of people have not heard of it!

Easily Cece ... I'd bet it's higher than that. 99.5% or more.

Cece wrote:In the US, I'd guess 99% of people have not heard of it!

Cece, I'm sure you're right. When I visit family and friends in the US, I get a blank stare when I mention it.

It's strange, Canada has all the publicity and attention, but no treatment. The US has little public awareness, but more and more treatment becoming available all the time.

Here is a link to Angus Reid's own report on this:

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/43669/c ... -patients/

And, another link to an article in the Globe and Mail about the poll:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/pol ... cmpid=rss1

Vice-President of Angus Reid says 37% of people who have heard about the procedure is "significant." (That's without even mentioning the other 13% who consider themselves "well informed!") He adds: "This is a relatively new procedure and Canadians are paying attention to the way this story is developing." (Way to go Canadians! Is our government listening?!?)

The "truly intriguing issue" for the VP is that Canadians are siding with MS patients over doctors by a 5-1 margin. WOW! I'm stunned at that.

i remember in the 90s 60 minutes doing a a story on amalgam fillings causing ms but ccsvi they won't touch too bad.

Only one day after this poll came out the Alberta gov't announced it's observational trial. Coincidence? I think not.