“Why do Hollywood films’ unrealistic portrayals of cancer matter? Because they matter to patients, to patient’s families, and to society at large.
In a commentary that my colleagues and I published in JCO Oncology Practice, we found that, to individuals with cancer and their families, films can create misunderstandings about curability, treatment options, types of care available, and cost that have real-life implications.
We reviewed more than 100 films released between 2010 to 2020 and found several key findings about films’ lasting impact on public perception of cancer treatment, prevention and care options.”
David Benjamin is a medical oncologist, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA.