How adolescent and young adult cancer is portrayed in movies: reflections for supportive care.
A content analysis of 20 movies released from 2013–2023 found that portrayals of 24 adolescents and young adults with cancer emphasized death, underrepresented treatment and survivorship, and frequently depicted informal non-medical care.
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A content analysis of 20 movies released from 2013–2023 found that portrayals of 24 adolescents and young adults with cancer emphasized death, underrepresented treatment and survivorship, and frequently depicted informal non-medical care.
Research significance
The study provides no evidence for a cancer therapy; it supports the inference that discussing movie portrayals of informal care could potentially facilitate conversations about psychosocial support preferences, but this supportive-care application was not tested.
Source abstract
PURPOSE: Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYACS) often experience psychological distress caused by difficulty in maintaining relationships. Cancer-related movies could promote knowledge and self-efficacy in relationship maintenance, but little is known about how cancer is depicted on screen. This study explored how the medical and social consequences of cancer are depicted in movies featuring an AYA with cancer. METHODS: We conducted a content analysis of cancer-related movies released between 2013 and 2023. Two independent coders collected information about each character with cancer, each medical scene, and each social scene. RESULTS: The final sample included 20 movies and 24 AYA characters with cancer. These characters were primarily female, White, and heterosexual, and more than half died during the movie. Only about 30% of medical scenes showed characters receiving any kind of cancer treatment. The most prevalent social theme was related to death. The receipt and provision of informal, non-medical care was the second most frequent social theme. Survivorship themes accounted for less than 10% of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: Popular movies featuring depictions of AYA cancer are mostly not reflective of the cancer experience, especially as related to treatment and survival. The inclusion of themes related to the receipt and provision of informal care was noteworthy for its alignment with the existing literature. Movies may provide an opportunity for survivors to start conversations about preferences for the receipt and provision of non-medical support.