PBS - The Truth About Cancer
 

Did anyone else see this program last night? If not, I think you can still access it at your local PBS website....

THE TRUTH ABOUT CANCER PREMIERES ON PBS APRIL 16, 2008
Emmy Award-Winning Filmmaker Linda Garmon Takes on the Question "How Far Have We Come in the War on Cancer?"
News Journalist and Cancer Survivor Linda Ellerbee
Hosts Post-Broadcast Panel Discussion
What is the truth about cancer? Is it the same deadly killer it was 30 years ago - or are we making progress? Find out through the poignant stories of patients battling the disease. Written, produced, and directed by award-winning filmmaker Linda Garmon, The Truth About Cancer premieres nationally on PBS Wednesday, April 16, at 9:00pm ET (check local listings). Comprised of a 90-minute documentary followed by a 30-minute panel discussion, the two-hour broadcast event takes a deep look inside the cancer field gauging how far we have come in this decades-old war and asking, "Why does anyone still die of cancer?"
Part science, part personal catharsis, part character-driven storytelling, The Truth About Cancer is narrated by Garmon, who tells the moving story of her husband's battle with cancer. Over the course of the film, Garmon returns to the same Boston-area hospitals at which her husband was treated, and exposes startling truths about survival rates of metastisized cancers, and the limited success of drugs and clinical trials. Interwoven throughout are the stories of three additional cancer patients, and their families and doctors, as they navigate the deeply personal decisions surrounding the disease. The documentary also follows several medical professionals working to promote screening, research the latest developments in cancer treatment, and help patients and their families live with a cancer diagnosis.
"This film makes it clear that it's very much a part of American culture to believe that if you fight hard enough, you can beat cancer. But when it comes to having metastatic cancer, your survival depends on the biology of your cancer cells, and whether they are susceptible to state-of-the-art treatment," says Garmon. "In sharing my husband's story and the stories of other patients, I hope to shed light on this important truth."
The Truth About Cancer is the third installment of PBS's Take One Step-a campaign offering primetime programming and outreach tools to help people take the first step towards better health. Following the 90-minute documentary is a 30-minute panel discussion entitled Take One Step: A Conversation About Cancer with Linda Ellerbee. News journalist and breast cancer survivor Linda Ellerbee moderates the dialogue featuring a panel of doctors, all of whom are cancer survivors themselves. Having sat on both sides of a cancer diagnosis, the panel shares their unique perspectives, offering both personal and professional observations on how to handle a cancer diagnosis, what to say to loved ones, how to advocate for yourself, and how to best live your life, with cancer. Panelists include U.S. News and World Report health editor Dr. Bernadine Healy; breast cancer surgeon and Breast Cancer Research stamp mastermind Dr. Ernie Bodai; neurologist and leading palliative care expert Dr. Richard Payne; and counseling psychologist Dr. Paul Brenner.
The Truth About Cancer is a Carousel Films LLC Production for WGBH Boston. Laurie Donnelly is Executive Producer for WGBH. Funding for The Truth About Cancer is provided by Susan G. Komen For The Cure and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers.

Did you see it AA?

Cancer program
 

Yes I did, Bonnie. One of the ladies here mentioned it to me in time for me to see it, but otherwise I think not too many were aware that it was on TV. I wondered if most missed it, and if not, what they thought of it.

A.A.

You might be one of the few who caught it. What did you think?

Truth
 

Pro or con, I hope a fair number watch the program. Although it wasn't a pretty picture, I liked the program a LOT for that reason alone. It was much more honest than so many of the programs presented by people who cheerlead all the time about it but minimize it or have never actually "been there".

We all need encouragement, but presenting cancer as just a brief detour in our lives that we "heroically" conquer along with a lot of pink slogans totally leaves out those who are derailed over and over by it no matter how hard they try not to be.

I especially thought the doctor who treated the pancreatic cancer patient was remarkably truthful with the audience about the realities of cancer.

The doctor who specifically mentioned the importance of love (the tall quiet guy, Dr. Brenner?) got my attention, too.

A.A.

I wonder if it's possible to see it on the internet. I'll look for it. Remember none of us would be alive today without Herceptin so there have been some great advances.
sarah

I watched the program and liked it. I'm not into "fluff" and this program didn't have any. Parts of it, obviously, were sad.


"This film makes it clear that it's very much a part of American culture to believe that if you fight hard enough, you can beat cancer. But when it comes to having metastatic cancer, your survival depends on the biology of your cancer cells, and whether they are susceptible to state-of-the-art treatment," says Garmon.


Linda Ellerbee, the host of the panel discussion at the end of the
program, stated that when she was first dx. she needed to hear
people say that they were sorry to hear this news about her. She
talked about how people quickly jump to the "fight hard" and "be positive" advice. I enjoyed the documentary and the panel discussion that
followed. I hope to get to see it again sometime.

I saw it.

Was 'glad' to see the reality from the perspective of those with progressing cancer. And also impressed with the onc of the gal with pancreatic ca.

The reality of just where we are in treating cancer. And the silliness of the 'prevention' hooha, but for smoking (30% causal as quoted.). The rest, as we have repeadtedly stated in our own words: "A Crap Shoot."

The wrong thinking of 'they didn't fight hard enough'. And the blame (and guilt) of doing something to cause our ca.

Loved the discussion of the mistaken notion that 'early' detection/treatment was the ticket for cure or longevity, where in fact, many of the early cancers would resolve on their own anyway.

Being perverse, I also liked the 'put down' of Lance. He had the most treatable of cancers, testicular. As if he were the poster boy for CA in general......

The 'discussion' after was less than I hoped for, however. Especially the comment by the bc specialist, telling his patients to "stay away from the internet".

Would have liked this to be shown as a short series, with more real people and their experiences...

just me.

pattyz

I'm sorry to have missed it. Being the pragmatic type, I would have liked seeing it. They often re-run programs so I will keep an eye out.
Well, it is obvious we don't ALWAYS follow doctor's orders, because here we are on the Internet!

Joe had posted in the 'Events' forum about this a few weeks ago. I saw the first part of the program (I fell asleep - Drat!). I agree with what everyone here has said. The program looked at the 'reality' of cancer instead of trying to whitewash everything. I just checked www.pbs.org and you can see when it will be shown again in your area.

I missed the show as well. Patty, I haven't read Lance's book, and probably won't, but it seems to have encouraged alot of people. Having said that, I don't like what I've heard about his "attitude" that he beat cancer all on his own, with no help from God or anybody. I should read the book before making a comment like that, but I wondered, too, how he became the "poster boy" for beating cancer. He's a phenomenal athlete, but no expert on beating cancer. These Hollywood experts on everything get under my skin.

Gerri, thanks for the suggestion. I was able to find a listing for a repeat showing on Sunday.

I read Lance Armstrong's book and found it quite inspirational. I don't recall him taking full credit for beating his cancer. Granted, he admits to not being religous, but that doesn't make him evil. I find it odd that survivors are looked down upon by others because they didn't have a "bad" cancer. Cancer is cancer and it stinks. Lance Armstrong and his LIVESTRONG organization have raised millions and millions of dollars for cancer research and other programs to help survivors - THAT makes him a poster boy to me. I'm not so sure I want to view this program if in some way it puts down anyone who has had to deal with cancer.

If you haven't read his book, you should. It just may surprise you.

Hi unregistered! Like I said, I hadn't read the book, and I should have, before making the post that I did. I apologize. I will read the book. You have made a very good point regarding his raising millions of dollars. Cancer is cancer and it does all stink. Scroll up a few notches. Did I say he was "evil"? No, I did not. Bill

The following is a link that should allow you to view the show online:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/takeonestep/...cer_2008-04-17

Best,

"We all need encouragement, but presenting cancer as just a brief detour in our lives that we "heroically" conquer along with a lot of pink slogans totally leaves out those who are derailed over and over by it no matter how hard they try not to be."

AlaskaAngel - these words hit close to home for me - thanks - and thanks Cynthia for the link!

First of all, thank you Cynthia & Gerri for the links. Now I'll get a chance to watch this program. Thank you both.

Someone mentioned Lance Armstrong having just testicular cancer which is very treatable. Don't quote me but I watched a one hr special on Lance Armstrong when I was going through chemo two years ago. So with my chemo brain I don't want anyone to hold me to anything. lol But what I remember from that one hr show is that he had testicular cancer and it had spread to his lungs and brain. So if I remember right he was in a hospital bed for a total of 3 months on a heavy dose of chemotherapy.

I just watched Lance on Larry King the other night and he mentioned how stressed he was recently because he was feeling dizzy and ran straight to his oncologists office to get checked out. So I don't think it was just testicular. As already mentioned I totally agree that I don't care for his attitude and the way he comes across when I've watched him speak. That being said I will give him credit for the money he has brought in for research and the attention he draws to cancer awareness.

Chelee

To Bill,

In my most humble opinion:

The bulk of this program is more poignant to those who have a personal history with metastatic cancer. The 'history' being firsthand or in direct support of another...

The less impressive part of this program, the 'discussion' afterwards, would be most liked by those who have not had this experience. Linda Ellerbee's final statement: "(sic)Cancer is not a death sentence!"

If it comes down to it, I'm in your corner :)

Patty, thanks for being in my corner. I should have held my tongue, though, until seeing this episode and reading his book. I just feel like there are so many more cancer survivors who have been through years and years of pure hell, like most of you here. You should all be poster "girls and boys", only you weren't famous to begin with. Thanks to Lance, though, for all the money he's raised.