Watch Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies
- 2015
- 2 Seasons
-
8.4 (372)
Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies is a three-part documentary series that premiered on PBS in 2015. Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning book written by oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee, the series is narrated by the late Edward Herrmann and features interviews with cancer patients, researchers, and oncologists, including Terrence Howard. The show also delves into the long and complicated history of cancer research, from the earliest recorded descriptions of the disease in ancient Egypt to the most recent scientific breakthroughs. The first episode of the series, titled "Magic Bullets," explores the early attempts to find a cure for cancer, including the development of the first chemotherapy drugs in the 1940s. The episode focuses on the work of Sidney Farber, a pediatric oncologist who pioneered the use of chemotherapy to treat childhood leukemia. Through interviews with researchers and patients, the episode highlights the progress that has been made in cancer treatment over the last several decades, and the challenges that still lie ahead. The second episode, "The Blind Men and the Elephant," examines the complexity of cancer as a disease, and the different approaches that have been taken to understand and treat it. The episode covers a wide range of topics, including the discovery of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, the role of the immune system in fighting cancer, and the difficult ethical questions surrounding clinical trials. Through interviews with scientists and patients, the episode shows how our understanding of cancer has evolved over the years, and how new technologies are helping us to better diagnose and treat the disease. The final episode of the series, "Finding an Achilles Heel," looks at the latest advances in cancer research and treatment, and the promising new therapies that are on the horizon. Along the way, the episode examines the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to cancer, and the challenges of developing drugs that can target specific mutations in tumor cells. The episode also highlights the importance of patient advocacy and the power of community support in the fight against cancer. Throughout the series, Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies provides a sobering look at the impact of cancer on individuals and society as a whole. But it also offers hope and inspiration, as it tells the stories of patients who have battled the disease, and the researchers who are working tirelessly to find a cure. With its engaging storytelling and powerful imagery, the series is a must-see for anyone who has been affected by cancer, or who has an interest in the history of medicine and science.
