Award-winning documentary producer Linda Garmon wrote, directed and produced The Truth About Cancer for PBS. Completed a few years after her husband Larry died of cancer despite receiving the best available care, the film demonstrates that the biology of cancer cells dictates how patients will do in their treatment. Challenging the uniquely American notion that patients’ personalities influence their cancer outcomes, the film shows that patients such as Larry can do everything right and still succumb to “bad biological luck.”
The film follows Linda and Larry throughout his care at Mass General, as well as other patients during their emotional and uncertain journey. Partly science and partly cathartic personal narrative, the film is a product of great courage and generosity as well as talent.
