Cancer in TV & Film
How movies and television portray cancer — what these stories get right, what to keep in perspective, and the real facts behind the drama, based on NCI resources.
13 stories
What Wit Can Teach Us About Ovarian Cancer and Clinical Trials
In Wit, professor Vivian Bearing faces advanced ovarian cancer and an experimental trial. Here's what those mean, from the National Cancer Institute.
Ovarian cancer · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat Thor: Love and Thunder Can Teach Us About Metastatic Breast Cancer
In the film, Jane Foster faces stage IV breast cancer. Here's what that diagnosis really means — and why understanding staging matters.
Breast cancer · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat This Is Us Can Teach Us About Stomach Cancer
In This Is Us, William is living with stomach (gastric) cancer. Here's what that diagnosis really means — and the facts behind the story.
Stomach cancer · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat The Fault in Our Stars Can Teach Us About Thyroid and Bone Cancer
Hazel lives with thyroid cancer that spread to her lungs; Gus has osteosarcoma. Here's what those diagnoses really mean, from the National Cancer Institute.
Thyroid cancer and bone cancer · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat The Bucket List Can Teach Us About Lung Cancer
In The Bucket List, Edward faces advanced lung cancer. Here's what lung cancer really is — and the facts behind the film.
Lung cancer · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat The Big C Can Teach Us About Melanoma
In The Big C, Cathy is diagnosed with stage IV melanoma. Here's what melanoma and that staging really mean, from the National Cancer Institute.
Melanoma · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat Terms of Endearment Can Teach Us About Breast Cancer
In Terms of Endearment, Emma is diagnosed with breast cancer. Here's what breast cancer really is — and the facts behind the film.
Breast cancer · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat Sex and the City Can Teach Us About Breast Cancer
In Sex and the City, Samantha Jones is diagnosed with breast cancer and goes through chemotherapy. Here's what breast cancer really is — and why awareness matters.
Breast cancer · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat My Sister's Keeper Can Teach Us About Leukemia
In My Sister's Keeper, Kate lives with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a type of acute myeloid leukemia. Here's what leukemia really is.
Leukemia · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat Grey's Anatomy Can Teach Us About Metastatic Melanoma
In Grey's Anatomy, Izzie Stevens is diagnosed with metastatic melanoma that has spread to her brain. Here's what melanoma and metastatic cancer really mean.
Melanoma · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat 50/50 Can Teach Us About Soft Tissue Sarcoma
In 50/50, Adam is diagnosed with a rare spinal soft tissue sarcoma. Here's what soft tissue sarcoma really is, from the National Cancer Institute.
Soft tissue sarcoma · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat Movies and TV Get Right — and Wrong — About Cancer
From tearjerker films to hospital dramas, cancer is one of screenwriting's most-used storylines. Here is how on-screen cancer differs from real life.
Cancer in popular culture · Read more →
Movies & TVWhat Breaking Bad Can Teach Us About Lung Cancer
Walter White's inoperable lung cancer sets the whole series in motion. Here's what lung cancer really is, drawn from the National Cancer Institute.
Lung cancer · Read more →
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