Episode 66: Making cancer movies - sharing a powerful cancer story through film

What happens when someone living with cancer decides to pick up a camera and tell their story? In this episode of Taking Control of Cancer, host Steve Bland is joined by Anne Isaksson, a cancer patient whose powerful film, This Is Everything, documents her diagnosis, treatment and recovery at Barts Health.

With treatment underway and the outcome uncertain, her film follows clinics, corridors, waiting and recovery as lived experience rather than explanation, using text subtitles instead of voiceover to move the narrative forward. Through stillness, observation and small bodily details, the film asks how you keep living - and making meaning - when survival becomes the only timeline.

Cancer can often feel overwhelming, confusing and isolating. Many people don't know what to expect after hearing the words "you have cancer", while friends and family can struggle to understand what their loved one is experiencing. Anne's film offer a unique window into that journey, capturing the reality of cancer with honesty, warmth and hope. 

Throughout the conversation, Steve and Anne explore why storytelling matters in healthcare and how film can become a powerful tool for supporting patients. They discuss the decision to document such a personal experience, the challenges of filming during treatment, and what Anne has learned about herself along the way. They also reflect on the incredible care she received from the teams at Barts Health and the importance of seeing the people behind the healthcare system.

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