Educational Media Reviews Online

Called the “silent killer” because it’s often diagnosed too late for effective treatment, ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths in women. This documentary provides insight into some of the physical and emotional effects that can occur with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Filmed in Australia, the documentary is divided into chapters that provide an overview of the disease and a description of possible symptoms, understanding the diagnosis itself, considering the prognosis of the illness, investigating treatment options and surgery, coping with chemotherapy, dealing with changing self-image and hair loss, seeking care and support, facing the possibility of recurrence, and getting on with life.

Because symptoms like fatigue, bloating, and abdominal pain are often linked to other common problems, diagnosing ovarian cancer can be difficult. One of the cancer patients interviewed for the film emphasized that women with non-specific symptoms that are out of the ordinary should request that their doctor give them a pelvic ultrasound test prior to ordering a gastrointestinal work-up. Different stages of ovarian cancer are described, with 70% of patients diagnosed at Stage 3, indicating that the tumor is present in one or both ovaries and that the tumor is present outside the pelvis or in the abdominal lymph nodes. Surgery is usually recommended first, followed by chemotherapy unless the cancer has spread over surfaces and the medical team opts to shrink the tumors prior to surgery.

The stories shared by women diagnosed with the disease, as well as the doctors, nurses, and psychologists who treat them, provide the focal point of the film. All of the women spoke about the fear and shock they felt when they were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Doctors, nurses, and psychologists talked about the importance of reducing anxiety and responding to individual patients’ needs, emphasizing that there is no one standard regime of care.

Attitude plays an important role as patients undergo treatment, lose their hair, and struggle with the possibility of recurrence. A 41-year old patient described her “day by day war” against the disease, while a 74-year old woman spoke about “doing something positive each day.” Some relied solely on the support of friends and family, while others found strength through bonding with other patients in the chemo room. When discussing hair loss, one patient reported that she received more compliments on her new wig than she’d ever gotten for her own hair.

Though at 120 minutes this film is quite long, it’s interesting, uplifting, and informative. Recommended for general adult audience—particularly for health care professionals and for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and their loved ones.

Awards

• Silver and Bronze Medals, Summit International Awards