The Truth About Cancer

When filmmaker Linda Garmon lost her husband to a rare form of lung cancer some years ago, she captured some of the experience of coping with the disease on video. The Truth About Cancer developed from Garmon's decision to use portions of the tapes as the personal and emotional centerpiece of a documentary exploring cancer care in the 21st century. Revisiting the Boston hospitals and institutions where her late husband received treatment, Garmon takes a fly-on-the-wall approach, observing several oncologists and their patients. Viewers will meet a number of these patients, sometimes surrounded by family and friends, as the disease progresses and “phase one” medications fail to help. One central figure named Jamie balances her personal determination to live and a realistic grasp of her situation. While taking care of herself, she tries her best to placate her devastated father, who lost his wife to cancer and all but considers Jamie's doctor a quack. The most important aspect of The Truth About Cancer, however, lies in an honest assessment of the medical community's limitations regarding cancer treatment. Although we're still a long ways off from curing all cancers, strides have been made in fighting various types of cancer, and new developments in smart drugs (targeting only cancer cells) are promising. DVD extras include a panel discussion led by cancer survivor Linda Ellerbee featuring doctors who have expertise in treating cancer, and printable resources from the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)