Episode II: Voices

This program presents the reality of cancer as experienced by the patients themselves. Five patients of varying ages and at different stages of the disease - and with their families and caregivers- are followed through cancer diagnosis, treatments and afterward.

A 28-year-old woman tells about how she used self examination to discover a tumor in her breast and the treatment that followed. She wonders whether to bear children-which could increase her risk of recurrence-or adopt, talks about her hair loss, and celebrates the successful outcome of her treatment and bright hope for the future.

A 7-year-old boy, his mother and siblings talk about his encounter with leukemia at the age of three. They describe how, with an immune system weakened by chemotherapy, the child nearly died of chicken pox.

A 50-year-old biochemist tells of the numerous choices she had to make regarding surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and breast reconstruction, made more challenging because her doctors often disagreed with each other.

A 54-year-old man with both Hodgkin's lymphoma and lung cancer goes through radiation and chemotherapy.

A leukemia survivor talks about the period when he was diagnosed and treated over 15 years ago.

Voices focuses on the quality of life as treatment proceeds, examining management of pain and other symptoms resulting from both the disease and its treatment, sources of support, and the impact on the patient's family.


Additional Materials


How Do We Define 'Cancer Survivor?'

Ellen Stovall
President and CEO
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

Video | Transcript

Links:
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship



Living with Side Effects of Treatment

Julia H. Rowland, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Cancer Survivorship, NCI

Video | Transcript

Links:
NCI Office of Cancer Survivorship


Childhood Cancer

Eric Larsen, MD
Pediatric Oncologist
Norris Cotton Cancer Center

Video | Transcript





How Does Childhood Cancer Affect the Rest of the Family?

Julia H. Rowland, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Cancer Survivorship, NCI

Daphne Haas-Kogan, MD
Assistant Professor, UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center

Video | Transcript


Where Do People with Cancer Find Support?

Julia H. Rowland, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Cancer Survivorship, NCI

Video | Transcript

Links:
Norris Cotton Cancer Center Patient Support Services


What is Hospice and How Does This Program Help People with Cancer?

Gail Lary, RN
Pemi-Baker Home Health & Hospice
Plymouth, NH

Video | Transcript

Links:
Hospice Foundation of America


Besides trained nurses and social workers, Hospice trains volunteers who help provide respite for family care providers.

Gail Lary, RN
Pemi-Baker Home Health & Hospice
Plymouth, NH

Video | Transcript



Individual and Family Counseling

Peter Trask, PhD
Assistant Professor, Brown Medical School

Video | Transcript