Prostate Cancer Doc

[Kegan]

Alright folks, I haven't posted in this part of the forum before, nor have I gotten to look through it as in-depth as I want. I will read more, but maybe I can get some opinions while I do that.

My dad, unfortunately was diagnosed with prostate cancer approximately 3 weeks ago. At first, utter shock took over and then tons of research began. I tried to find everything I could find in regards to information, from treatments to different stages of the cancer.

Admittedly, I still don't know as much as I'd like on the subject, but I'm learning more each day.

Now, through both my mother's, as well as my own research, we came upon a fairly new procedure called HiFu. It's not incredibly new or anything, but its new to North America and not recommended by urologists or anything (they still prefer the removal of the prostate or radiation methods, strictly because its been PROVEN effective and has been around longer). Its getting good reviews and has been used in Europe and other parts of the world for about ten years now.

I guess what I've learned through this experience thus far is that things really can happen to any and everyone - crazy, harmful, unexpected illnesses can just pop out of nowhere. I never even thought of prostate cancer...granted, I haven't hit 40 or anywhere close to that yet, but it still hadn't ever crossed my mind once before.

I was also considering making a documentary, but wasn't sure what to do it on. Then it hit me - why not do it on something thats directly affecting my family and I right now? Prostate cancer is the slowest growing cancer and yes, most men live their full lives, dying WITH prostate cancer as opposed to FROM it...but there are the unfortunate few that don't survive because they didn't catch it early enough.

My dad was fortunate enough to catch it in Stage 2 (T2A to be exact) and for those of you who don't know, it means that 50% or less of one out of the two lobes is what the tumor is occupying. Its good news, though the Gleason score (the aggressiveness of the cancer) is a little high (8/10).

The odds are most definitely in his favour and I want to document his journey from start to finish, to promote awareness for prostate cancer as very many men are infected and don't bother to have prostate exams done to check for cancer.

I guess after giving you all a little background on the reason why I want to do this documentary, I'll get on with my questions...

I'm obviously going to want to interview the doctor thats meeting with my father with this new HiFu procedure. I don't want to interfere with the process of things, as my main goal is him getting better...but I do want to get a quick interview from the surgeon. Is there a way of going about this? Should I contact the doctor after the appointment is made, myself or should I ask my father to speak with the doctor, requesting permission?

Also, I'm trying to figure out some questions to ask my dad specifically, in order to get the awareness out there and he's all for it...but I'm not sure of what to ask, or what he should say. Any ideas?

If my dad is an eligible candidate for this procedure and I'd like to document it, how would I go about getting permission to do so? It would be PROMOTING it, more than anything but I'd still like to know what the formal way to go about it would be.

Now, time is of the essence here and I'm going to need to move quickly as his appointments start next week if I want to get the ball rolling.

Any help is much appreciated, as is the time of those reading this post.

Thanks a lot,

Kegan

 

[Tacitus]

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad.

I have very little experience, but as nobody else has posted anything...

If you want to raise awareness, then contact a charity. I've just made a film about a little boy with a rare chromosome disorder (I'll post a link soon), and the charity (Unique) helped us tremendously. You might be able to get some funding from a charity, if you allow them to show your doc.

To be involved in everything as much as possible, get your Dad as interested in the film as you are. If he personally asks/tells any doctors he meets that his son will be present and filming, access should be easier. I'd expect that simply because your dad has prostate cancer, doctors and others will be sympathetic and co operative. If you do manage to get some interest or even funding from a charity, that should gain you a lot of access too.

 

[Wayne Dupuis]

I work for Vancouver Island Health Authority as a multimedia tech. We just finished a documentary on Prostate Cancer, and if you would like to purchase a copy send an email to multimediaservices.rjh@viha.ca
Quite informative, and may give you some idea of what you are wanting to shoot.
I wish you and your family well.
Merry Christmas to you!
Wayne Dupuis

 

[IjabaFilms]

I'm sorry to hear about your dad as well. This is an excellent topic to cover. I would recommend asking your dad if he would mind if you setup an interview with the doctor. He could do it but maybe he should just focus on himself. So you could do it.

I'm about to do a doc on my best friend who is albino, however she's had ulcerative colitis since she was 9 and I'm at a point where I'm trying to find out how to interview the doctor who did all her surgeries who is now retired.

About questions... You could actually interview both your dad and as many experts on the subject as you can. You can ask your dad about his feelings, and what he knows about his cancer. Most of what you capture with your dad may be "day to day" coping and his feelings. The other part of the awareness may come from talking with others who have had the cancer and other doctors. You can put an ad on Craigslist looking for survivors of that particular type of cancer for interviews (you can keep it short if you like to not take away from the personal-ness of the doc).

Hope this helps and good luck to your dad and you.