Add
Private Notes
In the first episode the focus is on breast cancer and six women, whose cancers are at different stages, share their stories.
Among them is the 36-year-old mum and gynaecologist Louise who is receiving treatment for curable, early-stage breast cancer; 50-year-old Jeanine who has a mastectomy and combined reconstruction, to show how surgery is advancing; and 60-year-old Marie, who was successfully treated for breast cancer seven years ago, but who is now faced with its return and must go through further treatment. Also featured is 25-year-old patient Jasmin, who has an incurable breast cancer, but who is able to live life mostly as she wants, thanks to advances in drugs.
Throughout the series, senior doctors and other staff provide a sense of context for the stories and explain the reality of modern cancer treatment, and how thanks to new treatments, the diagnosis is no longer quite the terrifying and hopeless prospect it once was.
This episode focusing on prostate cancer follows six men with the disease who are being treated in different ways. The film highlights the fact that men with early stage, curable prostate cancer are given a choice of treatments - which can be a dilemma in itself. Eddy is 63 and has early stage cancer, which he has chosen to have treated with radiotherapy. Meanwhile, Arthur is adamant that surgery to remove the prostate is the best option - despite the fact that it will leave him impotent. We also meet Craig, who has advanced, incurable cancer, and show how the quality of life he has left is enhanced by an innovative pain-reduction procedure. And we show how clinical trials are improving the outlook for patients through the story of Archie, who has had incurable cancer for eight years, and whose disease is being kept at bay by a new, unlicensed trial drug.
Throughout the series, senior doctors and other staff provide a sense of context for the stories and explain the reality of modern cancer treatment, and how, thanks to new treatments, the diagnosis is no longer quite the terrifying and hopeless prospect it once was.
Episode three explores lung cancer and the advances in radiotherapy through the story of 85-year-old Mae, who has a small tumour that can now be treated with a new form of radiotherapy that has minimal side effects. We show how lung cancer can affect non-smokers like Steven, who was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in his late 50s, and whose quality of life is being maintained thanks to an ever-developing prescription of new drugs. And we explore the crucial importance of clinical trials for the advancement of treatment with a focus on May, who is a passionate advocate for the effectiveness and importance of volunteering for clinical trials when all other treatments have failed.
Throughout the series, senior doctors and other staff provide a sense of context for the stories and explain the reality of modern cancer treatment, and how, thanks to new treatments, the diagnosis is no longer quite the terrifying and hopeless prospect it once was.
