Ah, you just need to watch the Lifetime channel or other programming targeted at women. :) In October, I believe, they ran a movie based on the book Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy. Over Thanksgiving week, there was a tearjerker romance Griffin & Phoenix — both characters had terminal illnesses and were close to the end of their lives. She had end stage ovarian cancer (around 30 years old) and he (40 years old) had some lung disease that I don't think they specified. I think the former movie handled the situation in a more straightforward manner though there was a great scene in the latter in which the characters find out they've both been keeping the same secret from each other. And I believe one of the major characters on Sex and the City was diagnosed with cancer and then went through some treatment and side effects on the show.

I do agree with your observations. I think it would be helpful to show characters in different stages on some major programs it would be a help to families and friends as well. Showing survivors would be terrific. Of course, there might be days you just didn't want to see it, but that's what the remote is for. With the projections for how many people will be diagnosed, perhaps its a reality that should be shown in at least some programs. Just having a beloved character be diagnosed and realize the scope of the number of other cancer patients would be revelatory for some.

A few years ago the Luann comic strip had a teenage girl go through Hodgkin's (hair loss, sick from treatments) and survive, but I haven't seen it mentioned lately.

Sent by M.J. | 11:01 AM ET | 12-01-2006

Once again, a great piece. I was just thinking about this as I have to do an interview next week to raise awareness for a homeless event I'm working on. It crossed my mind to do it without my wig to show people that we may have cancer but we can still lead productive lives. However, I'll be honest I am much to vain to do this but it would be nice to showcase the lives we lead regardless of our cancer.

Sent by Dona OSullivan | 11:06 AM ET | 12-01-2006

Sex in the City did a very bad rendition of one of its characters having breast cancer. She didn't need a mastectomy and it wasn't terminal. She and her friends laughed through a chemo session, and she still found time for lots of sex. It was pathetic. I'd like to see an average person trying to deal with their regular life who chastises people for saying inappropriate things to them.

Sent by Art Johnston | 11:12 AM ET | 12-01-2006

You have given me/us so much. What can we give to you? Is there someway to donate time or money that would really contribute to a cure? As year end approaches you have to give something back. This year what can we give to you?

Sent by Irene | 11:14 AM ET | 12-01-2006

Hi Leroy,

I have early stage breast cancer. It was all over TV during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But the disease was the focus of the shows; it was not an incidental part. Samantha, from Sex and the City, had breast cancer during a story arc, and she was shown having surgery and chemo while going on about her life. Good luck with your treatments. Harry Potter 7 comes out 7/7/07 and the fifth movie will be out later that same month. So hang in there!

Sent by Mary Gugich | 11:43 AM ET | 12-01-2006

I watch very little mainstream TV because the characters have so little in common with me. That I have had cancer is one of the reasons. Actually, I like it even less when they do show cancer on TV. It seems it's usually during sweeps and billed as a "special" episode. They wallow in it for an episode and then it's back to the usual grind.

Sent by Emily | 12:25 PM ET | 12-01-2006

Irene,

If you really want to give back and help others, a noble action, think of donating some dough to Environmental Working Group. They are doing the job the FDA and the ACS should be doing, making people aware of products, environmental causes, and how to prevent cancer. Visit "Skin Deep" online, and see what I mean. Read their fruit and vegetable pesticide report and chart.

I am sick of the "Walk For A Cure", "Donate ...Cure". How about preventing someone from the epidemic in the first place?

Leroy-PBS is a great way to pass time, home sick. I don't want cancer romanticized on the tube. I want it in documentary form, not from a writer's imagination. Yuck!

Sent by Laura | 12:27 PM ET | 12-01-2006

I know this is totally not where most people's heads are, but the same thing applies to pregnant women. Unless the woman's pregnancy figures into the storyline, there is no reason to make the character pregnant. (And if an actor is pregnant, they take pains to hide it.) Same thing with cancer. To a large extent, it also used to be true of African Americans. Only if it was an element of the story would they be included in the story. And, I suspect that we (cancer patients) face similar issues of stereotyping. We don't all lose our hair, suffer nausea, or cause tears to fall all around us. Some of us get very sick and then get better, and some of us don't seem to be very sick, but die anyway.

Has anyone mentioned lately that Cancer Sucks?

Sent by Stephanie | 12:33 PM ET | 12-01-2006

Dear Leroy,

I saw a TV character with cancer just last week, when I watched the third season of The L Word on DVD.

I read your blog every day and follow your progress with interest and concern. I'm rooting for you and wish you only the best.

Sent by Jane Weldon | 12:36 PM ET | 12-01-2006

Leroy,

As always, I enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks again for taking the time through the double whammy of a cold and chemo to post your entry. Feel better soon!

I wanted to comment on Irene's question: "Is there someway to donate time or money that would really contribute to a cure?" Yes there is! I know of at least four active events that you can participate in and/or donate to participants in: Susan Komen breast cancer walks Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Lymphoma Research Foundations "Lymphomathons" and National Cancer Society's Relay for Life. There are also many other organizations that fight cancer and would welcome donations if not active participation. Eventually there will be more cures, but it will take a lot of money and hard work.

On a personal note as a lymphoma survivor, I will say that the day I completed a marathon in Alaska three years after starting chemo to raise a bunch of money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was maybe the proudest day of my life. I am no athlete, but doing 26.2 miles for this cause was my statement that I survived, I am strong again, and I am giving back something for what I received to make my survival possible. I cannot in honesty say for sure that I ever would have done this without having experienced cancer. But the fact is that the cancer experience helped to motivate me to do this. My goal is to do a marathon or similar event for this cause every remaining year of my life that I physically able to and that I can convince people to donate money in support. 2007 will make the third in a row. That is one way that I am hoping to help with a cure.

Sent by Art Ritter | 12:39 PM ET | 12-01-2006

I suppose that they could write in some kind of character with cancer on the myriad of doctor/lawyer/police dramas, but does the rest of Americas viewing public really want to see a reoccurring character week after week as they endure a half a year or a year of chemotherapy or radiation treatment? Sure were "brave," but lets be honest here - its no fun to live through and probably not "Must see TV" material. Maybe were better off as the subject of documentaries (like the one that Ted Koppel is doing on you), or as the odd movie of the week on Lifetime, or as a one/two time appearance on one of the doctor shows in prime time. I can't fathom a way that night-time reality TV could tastefully include us — Survivor — Chemo Treatment ward? Nope. Show Me the Cancer Treatment? Nope. "Who wants to be a Cancer Patient?" Nope. Extreme Makeover? Maybe — some of the families getting new homes have had seriously ill members. A separate all-cancer network might have trouble filling air time and would likely be mostly commercials for the pharmaceutical companies. I dunno, maybe I'll just keep listening to public radio and be thankful that you have a place on it.

Sent by Bob Maimone | 12:44 PM ET | 12-01-2006

LOL — oh my gosh. Wether it's your intent or not, I found your comments today quite humorous (I shall now go back and read all). As a fellow cancer survior, I commend you on and thank you for sharing your journey.

I am a two time breast cancer survior. I survived... the breasts did not. They had to go the second time around. So, I've had a little of everything (surgery-lumpectomy and then double mastectomy, chemo, radiation). No reconstruction for me as I thought they would never be real and "what did I need them for?"

I sincerely wish you all the best and for me, I look forward to your comments now. Thanks again!

Sent by Tammi Dick | 3:13 PM ET | 12-01-2006

One of the anchors on our local news announced that he has prostate cancer and will keep of informed of his health status. So there are a few reminders of cancer on TV though not many.

Sent by Burna L. Dunn | 5:37 PM ET | 12-01-2006

Leroy,

Remember Dying Young, (released in 1991), where Campbell Scott gets leukemia? And then there is Beaches, (released in 1988), where Barbara Hershey gets cancer. I did see those two movies at the movie theater and cried my eyes out. Off the top of my head, those are the only two story lines I can think of where it has a character getting cancer, television sitcoms included.

Last night I watched Everybody Loves Raymond, a sitcom I always enjoy seeing. No one ever gets cancer in his family. Then there is Sabrina the Teenage Witch, another one of my favorites. No one ever gets cancer on that show either. I guess witches don't get cancer.

I think reality shows are what people want to watch nowadays, shows like

The Simple Life, The Girls Next Door, Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, American Idol. What do these shows have in common? Well, the camera is focused on vibrant young, healthy people that have their entire lives ahead of them. We like to see them fail. We like to see them win. We like to see them happy, and then we like to see them cry. The reasons for their emotions are always because of such trivial matters that it makes it pure entertainment for the viewers.

I personally would like to see a film about a family having a cancer crisis, and watching how everyone living in the house copes with the situation. For example, the mom gets cancer, (that would be my mom). And then the oldest child moves into the house, (that would be me), and helps take care of a 13-year-old teenager, going on 30 (that would be my sister). Of course the mom becomes cancer-free, and we live happily ever after.

Seriously, until your post, I have never thought about why the characters on T.V. shows and movies rarely have cancer, and are always facing and conquering other types of problems.

I have 300 channels as well thanks to the Dish Network. I told my mom the other day, "You know there is something wrong when it is 12:00 o'clock

on a weekday, and we are laying in the bed together channel surfing."

Sent by Lisa | 10:41 AM ET | 12-05-2006

We recently watched The Medicine Show (2001) a dark comedy starring Jonathan Silverman about a young man who is diagnosed with colon cancer. I had seen this movie a few years ago, and since then my own son has been diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. Two days ago my husband and I watched the movie again, and I have to say we enjoyed it. While there is nothing funny about having cancer, there were many funny scenes in the movie, especially a few of the hospital scenes. All of us whose lives have been affected by cancer could use a good belly laugh every now and then, even if the humor is coming from the very same source that is causing our misery.

Sent by Jane Blewer | 10:45 AM ET | 12-05-2006

Anybody remember Murphy Brown getting breast cancer before the networks were even sure if it was OK to say, breast cancer during prime time?

I don't remember how it all played out... but I remember Murphy being pretty real.

Sent by Val | 10:46 AM ET | 12-05-2006

My family and friends read your blog every day. It gives them a better understanding of what we cancer patients endure.

Would you let us know when the Ted Koppel special will air? We don't want to miss it.

Sent by Mary Scruggs | 10:48 AM ET | 12-05-2006

Hi, Leroy! In my humble opinion, anything that rises cancer awareness is worth a try. Actually, I went to have my mammogmam last year after hearing (and getting tired of hearing it!) for the entire month of October the same message again and again: "Check your beasts, go and have a mammogram..." Guess what? I had BC. Originally I am from Russia. Our poor doctors can't even get a free cyber space from Russian providers to answer cancer questions! Also, when I was there and tried to talk to people, most of them said they preferred not to know more than necessary. Ignorance is killing thousands of Russian women. So, Leroy, keep writing, keep reminding us that we all are vulnerable, that cancer does not discriminate. As for dying, before I went to Russia to have my mastectomy, I made a will. Coming back I found the paper untouched. My daughter told me that she didn't want my money. She would much prefer that I spent every penny of it traveling around the world, doing things I always wanted... If I had an "elevated awareness" of my mortality before, her words made it so much more poignant! For my 65th birthday I am jumping with the parachute! It has been my dream for almost 50 years. Now is the time! Let's celebrate every day, Leroy!

Sent by Mrs. Guy | 11:03 AM ET | 12-05-2006

Irene,

Another option would be to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which funds research and support for patients/survivors as well as education and advocacy efforts.

They wrote MS into West Wing. I think that as more people know someone who's diagnosed and the population ages, it may be more likely to have a characters illness be a subplot in an ensemble show of some kind. I'm not sure if I hope for that or not.

Sent by M.J. | 11:09 AM ET | 12-05-2006

Leroy,

I prefer to turn on a documentary, The Golden Girls on DVD (the fourth season is a hoot), or My Favorite Martian on DVD, and forget. The heck with reality, I want escapism.

Sent by Laura | 11:11 AM ET | 12-05-2006

What bothers me is that almost always when someone with cancer IS shown on TV or in the movies, they end up dying of it. And what the drama and plot almost always focuses on is their impending tragic death, not them struggling through treatments and surviving, but sometimes with lifelong after effects (or "battle scars" as I prefer to call them).

With all due respect to people who do end up dying of their disease, there are also many people that end up living long lives after their cancer battle. And even for those who end up succumbing to their cancer, there's often a battle first where it looks like they may win, and they keep on living their life as they fight it!

I can see why Sex in the City's depiction of breast cancer had an unreal edge but at least it showed a woman living her life as she went through treatment and surviving.

Now if they could only find a middle ground. Depict the battle in as harrowing and stressful a form as it often takes for patients and caretakers AND depict someone surviving it!

Sent by N.R. | 11:14 AM ET | 12-05-2006

Grey's Anatomy has cancer patients on it all the time, they are short lived and none of the main characters. George's daddy has cancer on it at the moment. I'm sure he won't be in too many more episodes; they were too busy dealing with his heart operation this week so that he could get healthy enought to get chemo. LOL. Now he's got problems. Oh yes, and it was thought that Meredith's mom had ovarian cancer in one episode...Meredith was kind of hoping she did have it, to put her out the misery of her Alzheimer's... sadly her results came back negative... lol. But in one of the Survivor series, one of the adorable blondes was a stage III breast cancer survivor. I think she got to the final four. Can't remember her name.

Sent by Sherry G. | 11:16 AM ET | 12-05-2006

Leroy,

What would be nice is to for people to see others LIVING with cancer... ya-know coaching soccer, working, making dinner, having a glass of wine with friends, etc. And, maybe (just maybe) taking their daily pills, watching what they eat, seeing the doc, and getting an infusion.

Seeing others living with cancer and being "normal" might just ease the stigma that cancer means a death sentence. I believe that the hope and positive experiences we can share will build momentum for further research and understanding.

Thanks for being.

Sent by Molly Linstrom | 11:21 AM ET | 12-05-2006

I don't watch tons of TV, but I have to agree. In particular, I'd like to see some colon cancer survivors with ostomy bags! I get so weary of jokes about that. My husband has had one for over five years, and while it's not must-have cosmetic surgery, it is not the end of the world, either.

On the helping front: A lot of cancer patients and their families need some pretty basic, not terribly glamorous help that can be both hard to find, and/or expensive. Rides to chemo and similar when the patient is too weary to do it and the "caregiver" spouse has to go to work lest she lose her job. Company at lunch time if home disabled. Families with a cancer patient are often stressed out the whazzoo and just need some relief around the edges. Not as much fun and no T shirt, but much appreciated. In my town, an informal network of people helped with chemo-related driving and it was the best thing in the world. They also had a garage sale and raised money to replace a piece of our roof when it fell in we were so stressed from cancer and greatly reduced circumstances we could not afford to deal. To anyone who wants to help Id say take an open eyed look at your friend or community member and offer away. There's way less in the way of practical support than you might think.

Sent by Teri | 12:53 PM ET | 12-05-2006

Several years ago on the British soap opera East Enders, one of the central characters went through the diagnosis, treatment of, and recovery from breast cancer. It was just another story thread that sustained interest in how she dealt with the treatments, her fears, family and friends, the moments of comfort and joy or aggravation and fury shed find throughout the day. If U.S. television writers were to tackle such a job, it wouldn't have to be regurgitated, ribbon-wrapped barf. Consider the potential: what if television openly included cancer patients in story lines in proportion to the real numbers of us? What if it showed not just the beautiful stars portraying wonderful, halo-wrapped courage, but the secondary characters — parents, neighbors, employees, bosses, children, homeless people, etc. — being kind, or crabby, frightened, or simply enduring as best they can over the months and years? Cancer is the central story line in so many of our lives, but its also all around us. Sadly, it isn't going away.

As you asked a few days ago, why are there so many of us? I have breast cancer, and have learned that one in eight women will join me. What are the rates for lung, prostate, liver, brain, blood, thyroid, eye, gallbladder, and other cancers? What if one show, like Law & Order or some other non-hospital show, for one season took on the job of writing cancer in, almost as its own character in all its many faces? I don't like being a statistic called "acceptable cost of doing business." I don't like being so invisible and discardable, like so many cigarette butts and plastic wrappers by the roadside. You're right. Television should step up to the plate.

Sent by Ginny | 4:25 PM ET | 12-05-2006

Dear Leroy,

You've made another insightful and greatly appreciated point today with your observations about television. Currently, there is a TV commercial in our area for a chemo medicine that just drives me crazy. Each of the characters say something to the effect: "today I'm going to fight my cancer." Each character behaves and looks as healthy as I do and I don't have cancer. None of them look or behave as ravaged as my brother did when he died last week. And he fought his cancer to the bitter end and with every available medication marketed out there. Even the Web pages for Inter-Leuken 2 have bright, shiny-faced cancer victims — I suppose it would be too awful to see the gaunt, hallowed look of failed medicine. Even with the number of cancer patients in our country, and the world, I don't know that our society is equipped to collectively face any kind of debilitating disease. It doesn't make money in the instant gratification world we live in.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to share your story with me. It has helped me tremendously as my family and I dealt with my brothers cancer.

Stay strong, be well.

Sent by Rosalyn | 4:29 PM ET | 12-05-2006

I'd like to comment on Art Johnston's comment re: Sex in the City. I thought it was well done and certainly did not depict her post-diagnosis life as a cake-walk. As for her cancer not being terminal, anyone who has ever had cancer lives under the constant spectre of recurrence. They did a nice job that I found realistic.

Sent by Richard A. Schoor | 4:31 PM ET | 12-05-2006

If you really want to be sick, try Maury or Jerry Springer. Came across these the other day... definitely SICK people. I also have a cold and doing Erbitux which puts sores in my nose and face, Campstor which makes my nose run and the cold plugs everything up. My thoughts are with you.

Sent by Burge | 4:33 PM ET | 12-05-2006

Hi, this is my first post here. I look forward to listening to your words on NPR all the time. This is the first time I've found your blog.

I remember when I the day time TV while I was sick with cancer. I think no matter what time it is, you can find Law and Order on if you have cable. It is like the new Matlock. And it is so easy to watch... you know the characters. You know the story... You can fall asleep in the middle and still understand what happened when you wake up at the end.

There are too many of us. Thanks for sharing your story to help people not feel so alone.

I too kept an online journal when I was sick... I also understand that you do this for you more than anyone else. But — Thank you. Your words are beautiful.

Sent by Samantha Lockwood | 4:58 PM ET | 12-05-2006

May I suggest the video podcast "The Rest of Everest" as an alternative to TV? It is truly one of the most engrossing documentaries I've had the privilege to view lately. Even if you aren't fascinated by mountain climbing, this podcast has something for you. Its theme is really about having the courage to pursue your goals in the face of adversity. Beyond that, it's a wonderful tour of the people and places surrounding Mt. Everest. It's visually lovely and well-narrated.

Sent by Mary | 5:00 PM ET | 12-05-2006

Today I attended a service for a good friend who died from cancer. She was a teacher and touched many lives. Some of her colleagues from work who found little time for her during her life attended her service. That is a good thing but it made me wonder - are we all so busy that we can not take time for others -when they are healthy or sick? As I think about my friend tonight I hope I remember to take time to tell others regularly how much they mean to me and to take the time to be there for them. Life can change quickly and it seems that after someone dies it is a little late to just be finding the time for them. Good luck with your cold Leroy. We all wish you well!

Sent by L.J. | 5:28 PM ET | 12-05-2006

I recently watched the movie The Doctor (1991) with William Hurt... Good for several reasons... it shows a good doctor but one without any insight into what his patient's experience with life changing events. (He's a cardiac surgeon.) Then the surgeon gets cancer and becomes a patient and it's great to watch the growth of his awareness and empathy. I especially love that when he returns to his practice he requires he residents to become a patient for a week complete with the hospital gown, a large series of tests, and loss of their former autonomy.

Keep up the good work and keep the information and awareness about all the aspects of cancer coming. Cancer shouldn't be a dark secret that is hidden. Like so many things that are unfamiliar, cancer is sometimes treated like a drug addiction or alcohol problem that one doesn't share with others and is ashamed of. Enough of that! More discussion and openness such as with your blog helps everyone on both sides of cancer to better understand what it really happening.

Sent by Leslie E. Arnold | 5:32 PM ET | 12-05-2006

I agree, Leroy, that cancer survivors are not shown much in the mainstream media. I recently referred to an old Murphy Brown episode on my blog when the writers showed how her character was coping with working after a cancer diagnosis. If a show would give an example of their characters life after cancer (no matter how it turned out), it would go a long way towards others understanding of what we all face. Have you considered offering the movie rights to your blog? Your story would be one for Oscar consideration! Take care, and don't watch too much daytime TV (grin!).

Sent by Teresa Hartman | 5:40 PM ET | 12-05-2006

Dear Mr. Sievers,

As someone who lost his wife to cancer, I find your very public lamentations about, your cancer, very disturbing. As my wife was so fond of saying: Stop pouting. Move on. Get over it.

Sent by Kevin Fitzgerald | 2:51 PM ET | 12-06-2006

I am going to stir up controversy with my statement but here goes: Most of the people who responded to the notion of cancer not being represented on television cited breast cancer examples. When is the last time colorectal (or pancreatic or lung) cancer was depicted on television or film? Any representation of cancer would be a start, for sure, but certainly there is a vast body of work that deals with breast cancer and to a less extent prostate cancer compared with other cancer types.

We have made it acceptable to tell the story of breast cancer and that is great progress! But until we make is acceptable to talk about colorectal, lung and other cancers, we have failed to completely represent the large number of communities impacted by the disease.

Sent by Andrea Clay | 2:59 PM ET | 12-06-2006

There was the courageous Chief Justice, William Rehnquist, who administered the Presidential Oath of office in last inauguration. He had just had chemo.

Sent by Emile Bellott | 3:12 PM ET | 12-06-2006

Dear Leroy,

A dear friend of mine has just been diagnosed with stomach, breast and bone cancer and that led me to your desperately needed words of wisdom that you bring to the world in your blog. Thank you. And by the way, a character with cancer on TV is Alexis on General Hospital. The head writers have given her lung cancer...

Sent by Nancy | 3:13 PM ET | 12-06-2006

Doubt if people (or Leroy) are still reading this thread, but just wanted to say that I sold a show this year to the CW network about cancer. It follows 4 women who used to be best friends in high school. They haven't spoken in eight years and are brought back together when one of them gets cancer. The cancer doesn't inform the whole show, sure, it's the reason why these women reunite, but the character who has cancer isn't the lead or anything. It's an ensemble show and one of the four characters just happens to have cancer. No dramatics, no hysterics, no "very special episode," just the day to day dealings: the good, the bad and the in between. I'm a comedy writer and this is my first one hour drama... or as the industry likes to call it, "dramedy."

Your blog has been an inspiration and a valuable source for information. I join with the many, many readers who say, "thank you!"

Sending you a big hug...

Sent by Dana | 3:17 PM ET | 12-06-2006

Leroy, I had both legs injured when I was 13. I've walked all my life since then with crutches or used a wheelchair.

I can usually answer all questions on "who wants to be a millionaire" until the $32,000 level, and do average or better than most Jeopardy contestants. I thought of testing to go on the shows.

Then it occurred to me... when have you ever seen a contestant on ANY game show with a permanent disability?

I also had advanced colorectal cancer and don't recall any character on a program with that.

There are millions of visibly disabled people who aren't portrayed realistically on television. It is accepted practice to discriminate against people with either.

Is it any fairer to select or portray as normal only those who can run (or have aesthetically pleasing ailments) than it is to show only one ethnic group?

Sent by Ed | 12:31 PM ET | 12-11-2006

Dinner Ladies, a Britcom TV series, the main character's love interest had cancer off and on through the series.

Sent by Ellen Lakora | 12:56 PM ET | 12-14-2006

I would like to cite another example of a TV show that shows life with cancer — MTV's Real World/Road Rules: the Duel, currently on TV. Diem has ovarian cancer and is a contestant on the show. She first competed in Fresh Meat, when she revealed that she has cancer. Between seasons she received chemo and returned to compete in this challenge in Brazil. In past episodes, Diem struggled with removing her wig for various challenges and the other contestants have supported her in her efforts by wearing her wigs to a bar. This is a great example of a vibrant, young woman overcoming the challenges of cancer. Besides competing, Diem has won several female challenges.

Sent by Sienna | 12:58 PM ET | 12-14-2006

Congratulations to Leroy for surviving cancer! I always love to hear and read about happy news... especially in the cancer department. My husband, Ken, was not so lucky. He had pancreatic cancer 5 years ago and died very quickly. Cancer is an ugly disease. I shudder every time I hear that word. Leroy, keep on fighting. You are doing good!

Sent by Verena | 12:59 PM ET | 05-08-2007