Educational Media Reviews Online

Producer, writer, and narrator, Jamie Guth, states in the beginning, the goals of this program: "…an overview of what to expect from the areas of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and recovery from surgery. And most importantly we want to leave you with a sense of hope and optimism." Cancer Treatments succeeds in explaining the range of side effects from the various treatments and combinations of treatment therapies. It emphasizes that everyone diagnosed with cancer is unique and their approach to treating the disease is a very personal decision and experience. Whether it leaves the viewer with a sense of hope and optimism is questionable.

Several patients suffering from a wide range of cancers are interviewed and tell their stories about going through various forms of treatment. Important "non-clinical" side effects such as changes in family dynamics and personal outlooks on life are handled honestly and tactfully, and provide an intimate and often poignant look at dealing with the disease. There is a glimpse at alternative coping methods (meditation, herbal remedies) and some research that is being done to combat the fatigue associated with chemotherapy and radiation. Nausea used to be the most prevalent and most feared side effect of chemo and radiation. Newer drugs and procedures have reduced the nausea, but now the number one complaint is extreme fatigue, which results from the destruction of energy-carrying red blood cells.

The target audience for Cancer Treatments is a general, adult population looking for a very brief overview of what is available. It might help the newly diagnosed to consider all forms of treatment and motivate them to speak openly with their physicians. This well made, informative program is recommended for patient education or consumer health collections.

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