The Actual Dance documents in a dramatic form – a play – my journey with my wife as her husband and “care giver” to (spoiler alert) an unexpected and exceptional survival from advanced breast cancer. You need to see the show (please check the calendar for performances.)
A study published last month examined factors that led to unexpected positive outcomes for patients with advanced cancer. That’s Susan. An abstract of the study can be found in Medscape.com here.*
What impresses me from the article is that all of the elements they found in their study were present for Susan and are presented, albeit in a different context, in the play. The study was conducted in Israel among a small group of patients with advanced lung and pancreatic cancer. All were living long past they expected prognosis. Here are the three things common to most of the participants in the study:
A study published last month examined factors that led to unexpected positive outcomes for patients with advanced cancer. That’s Susan. An abstract of the study can be found in Medscape.com here.*
What impresses me from the article is that all of the elements they found in their study were present for Susan and are presented, albeit in a different context, in the play. The study was conducted in Israel among a small group of patients with advanced lung and pancreatic cancer. All were living long past they expected prognosis. Here are the three things common to most of the participants in the study:
- The Doctor patient relationship. In particular a doctor that the patients portrayed as “something of a savior.” This stems from positive attitudes, graciousness and communicating with the patient.
- So perhaps we can rethink the role of “Dr. Happy” in The Actual Dance. He is portrayed in the play aggressively over optimistic about each diagnosis. Maybe that was a good thing!
- So perhaps we can rethink the role of “Dr. Happy” in The Actual Dance. He is portrayed in the play aggressively over optimistic about each diagnosis. Maybe that was a good thing!
- Family Support. In the study the patients reported family members boosted moral and were present to help in all ways.
- So that is in part what this play is all about. How I am present for Susan because “I don’t know where else I could possibly be.”
- So that is in part what this play is all about. How I am present for Susan because “I don’t know where else I could possibly be.”
- A proactive attitude. The study refers to this as patients challenging the systems and always looking for new answers and new cures. Asking for second opinions, pressured doctors for more options and other treatments.
- I think the authors of the study miss the underlying trait here. It isn’t the proactive attitude at work, but rather the determination to survive. And in that, Susan is a perfect role model. You can see her side of that story in the “Our Story” video about her determination.
- I think the authors of the study miss the underlying trait here. It isn’t the proactive attitude at work, but rather the determination to survive. And in that, Susan is a perfect role model. You can see her side of that story in the “Our Story” video about her determination.
*Future Oncology
Vol. 11, No. 12, Pages 1741-1749 , DOI 10.2217/fon.15.58 (doi:10.2217/fon.15.58)
Research Article
Living outliers: experiences, insights and narratives of exceptional survivors of incurable cancer
Moshe Frenkel*,1,2, Sky Gross3, Ariela Popper Giveon4, Kenneth Sapire5 & Doron Hermoni6
*Author for correspondence: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Aim: Unexplained prolonged survival given a diagnosis of incurable advanced cancer is a puzzling phenomenon that recently has attracted more scientific research. The purpose of this study was to add to the understanding of how exceptional patients perceive and explain their unusual experience. Methods: We recruited patients for interviews from a population registry, patients with advanced lung or pancreatic malignancy who experienced exceptional survival. Results & conclusion: In total, 15 participants were interviewed. The main recurrent themes in most of the interviews were patient–doctor communication, family support and the patient's proactive attitude. In this study, patients attribute their longevity to relationships with their doctor and their family – not the type of treatment they received. Further research on this phenomenon is needed.
Vol. 11, No. 12, Pages 1741-1749 , DOI 10.2217/fon.15.58 (doi:10.2217/fon.15.58)
Research Article
Living outliers: experiences, insights and narratives of exceptional survivors of incurable cancer
Moshe Frenkel*,1,2, Sky Gross3, Ariela Popper Giveon4, Kenneth Sapire5 & Doron Hermoni6
*Author for correspondence: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Aim: Unexplained prolonged survival given a diagnosis of incurable advanced cancer is a puzzling phenomenon that recently has attracted more scientific research. The purpose of this study was to add to the understanding of how exceptional patients perceive and explain their unusual experience. Methods: We recruited patients for interviews from a population registry, patients with advanced lung or pancreatic malignancy who experienced exceptional survival. Results & conclusion: In total, 15 participants were interviewed. The main recurrent themes in most of the interviews were patient–doctor communication, family support and the patient's proactive attitude. In this study, patients attribute their longevity to relationships with their doctor and their family – not the type of treatment they received. Further research on this phenomenon is needed.
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