PBS - The Truth About Cancer

[AlaskaAngel]

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.

[sarah]

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

[pattyz]

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

[PinkGirl]

I forgot about that one Pattyz. I also didn't agree with the doc who told us to stay away from the internet.

[dlaxague]

<snip> Remember none of us would be alive today without Herceptin so there have been some great advances.

I'm alive without Herceptin. Losing the toss in the adjuvant trial was one of the hardest blows of those early days. Of course now I'm less upset (smile), as I'm still here after 7 years.

Not everyone got it. And of those who did, it looks like it works for roughly half adjuvantly and less than that in the metastatic setting.

You probably meant "some of us wouldn't be alive" and that's true. I just wanted to make sure no one misunderstood.

Debbie Laxague


</snip>

[AlaskaAngel]

I "missed out" on Herceptin also, and then eventually chose not to have it, so here is one more who is still alive and well without it at over 6 years out. Although I was stage I and not stage III like Debbie, I also have never had a taxane at all (at least at the time the thought there was that taxanes only benefitted HR negatives). I also did not have dose dense treatment. And I have never had an AI, either.

It is very puzzling sometimes, and of course even those who received all of those things do not know with any certainty that any or all of those treatment options helped at all. We only know that for some, they do.

AlaskaAngel

[hermiracles]

Thanks for posting about this show - and especially providing the internet link Cynthia - otherwise I may not have been able to watch it in Australia.
I did like the program - as much as I try and stay positive the realism was a good balance. I'm gad I got to see it.
Blessings
Hermiracles.

[AlaskaAngel]

You are welcome -- I'm glad you were able to see the show in Australia as well, and that you all are finding the program to be worthwhile and truthful. Thanks, Cynthia, for helping everyone to see the PBS program.

AlaskaAngel