Originally aired on the long-running Canadian TV series The Nature of Things, filmmaker Judith Pyke's documentary spotlights groundbreaking research that is being conducted by the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver. Personalized OncoGenomics (POG) is an experimental treatment for individuals with incurable cancer, using a process that compares patients' normal DNA with that of their tumors, with the goal of isolating the genetic mutations that create the cancers. The ensuing treatments deviate from the one-size-fits-all approach to medical care by offering a variety of therapies that are unique to each patient. In some cases, patients are even started on non-cancer drugs—one here is given diabetes medication, while another receives pills normally used for lowering high blood pressure—as part of their overall cancer-fighting regimen. The results are mixed, with some patients responding vibrantly while others are only able to buy a limited amount of extra time before succumbing to their diseases. Series host and narrator David Suzuki does an admirable job of boiling down complicated medical terminology and genomic theories into a comprehensible summary detailing POG strategies and desired goals, while the patients provide courageous and articulate commentary on their respective fights for life. Offering a fascinating look into promising advances in cutting-edge cancer research, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
Cracking Cancer
(2017) 44 min. DVD: $250. Bullfrog Films. PPR. SDH captioned. ISBN: 1-941545-87-4. Volume 33, Issue 2
Cracking Cancer
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