CANCER IS…
NEW FILM SERIES EXPLORES THE WORLD OF CANCER
Four of the world’s leading organizations working with cancer – International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT/IAEA), American Cancer Society (ACS) and International Union Against Cancer (UICC) – have come together with mondofragilis network and Sanofi-Pasteur MSD to launch a new venture to address the increasing demand for reliable and current information. This documentary film project is targeted at the general public and stakeholders in both industrialised and developing nations. It was directed and produced by Giray of mondofragilis network who previously directed Women are…, 40 First Ladies and other international documentaries.
A three-part documentary on cancer
CANCER IS… 2008 is a global snapshot of
cancer today. It analyses the trends, meets the
top researchers, explores daring new initiatives
and gives us a clearer roadmap for the
future. Viewers will travel to all five continents.
They will hear scientists but also patient
advocates. They will occasionally feel
emotion but they will mostly sense hope.
CANCER IS… reveals both strategies and
achievements in prevention, treatment, cure
and palliative care. It looks at how lifestyle
impacts cancer, how radiotherapy is treating
patients in Albania, how targeted gene therapy
is maybe the future and at the realities of
surviving the disease.
Are cancer deaths increasing or decreasing?
Are we winning the war on tobacco? Are
new vaccines the solution? Are lower resource
countries suffering more?
The film was produced for a broad viewing
public. Those affected by cancer will watch
it to learn more about options. Family members
of those with cancer will find comfort in
the real efforts of the cancer community. Policymakers
will see the importance of passing
anti-tobacco legislation as well as encouraging
lifestyle change. They will, hopefully,
also see the value of increasing cancer spending.
Scientists will also enjoy the film as they
see their efforts, and those of their colleagues,
disseminated worldwide.
Though the film is international in nature, it is local in focus. It discusses data and trends in all countries. A viewer in Australia, concerned by melanoma, will find useful information. So too will women with cancer of the cervix in Peru or European citizens concerned with increasing obesity.
Background
Each year 160,000 new cases of childhood
cancer are diagnosed and 90,000 children
die. 11 million new adult cases are diagnosed
annually and 7 million die. Currently 25 million
people worldwide are living with cancer.
According to the World Cancer Report, the most
comprehensive global examination of this disease
to date, cancer rates could further increase
by 50% to 15 million new cases in 2020. In
many countries, more than a quarter of deaths
are attributable to cancer, and the report tells us
that cancer has emerged as a major public
health problem in developing countries, matching
its effect in industrialised nations.
It is clear from these figures all of us are affected by cancer. We all know someone who has either gone for early detection, has had it, has it or has passed away from it. We all fear its ravages and are aware that it is fast becoming this century’s new scourge.
Yet average citizens know so little of what is going on behind the cancer scene. What are the latest research findings? What are the latest statistics? Which prevention solutions are working best? Are risk factors on the rise? What are the latest early detection technologies and practices? What are this year’s treatment changes? Are there new care methodologies? What is science doing for quality of life and palliative care? Are there new ideas for family support? Indeed there is much information that the public will welcome provided it is authoritative and accessible.
Admittedly, the connected public has access to a wealth of knowledge via the Internet. Realistically though, finding it is tedious and requires filtering. The Internet delivers much unreliable information. Using print, health magazines publish cancer related articles sporadically, usually focussing on a single aspect of the disease.
Media and policymakers could also stand to listen to a concise recap of the state of cancer today. Those who access and read specialised content are informed, those on the periphery of interest, are not.
Launch
Cancer is… premieres in Geneva December
2, 2008 and will then be distributed to television
stations worldwide. For more information
on the film, or to reserve a seat at the
premiere, visit www.cancerfilm.tv
