Film festival held to show cancer menace

Geneva, Sept. 3, GNA - Though films are generally watched as a form of entertainment or recreation, a film festival which was organised on the debilitating effects of cancer as part of the just ended World Cancer Congress held in Geneva to tell the cancer story sent a clear message about the menace. The first ever film festival on cancer told the stories as they were to raise awareness and public concern to the fight against the disease. "Reel Lives" featured documentaries, personal stories, educational or organisational films and public service activities not only to entertain the 2,500 delegates to the congress but also put them on their toes to intensify the campaign against the disease. "It is really amazing to see how many of you came to watch the films tonight," said Claudia Durgnat, the film director, at the opening ceremony of the programme in response to her amazement at the interest shown in the festival, wondering why anybody would have thought that a film festival on cancer would attract so many people. The congress was organised by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) on the theme; "Towards True Cancer Control" and was attended by experts from the globe. Experts say cancer which is one of the emerging diseases in Africa has 11 million new cases every year globally with close to eight million deaths of which 72 per cent comes from the developing world. The meeting, which was aimed at helping to address the cancer menace, discussed tobacco control, cancer prevention, knowledge transfer, supportive care and capacity building among other topics. The film provided a critical voice in the fight against cancer from children, adolescents, young mothers, fathers, elderly people, their families and friends and also the voice of researchers, clinicians and highlighted the critical work of cancer societies, said Isabel Mortara UICC's Executive Director. It also brought to the fore, vices of life saving messages and pieces of information to the communities in their control activities, she added. Dr Motara said: "An integral part of our mission is to build greater awareness of cancer, to fight stigma, dispel myths and deliver the best possible care to cancer patients." "We recognise the many talented, creative and courageous film directors who are advocates of a cause which is dear to all of us and wish to honour cancer patients and their families while highlighting the continuing impact of the disease as a global health issue." Some of the best three films were "How long is a piece of string" based on a research that a waist measurement over 100 centimetres for men and 85 centimetres for women could increase the risk of cancer. It featured a piece of string symbolising a tape measure and asking Australians, (the author's home country) "how much will being overweight increase your chances of getting cancer". "Shadow", from Israel, demonstrated that while people may feel healthy, a hidden "shadow" side of cancer may be lurking while "Run for life" showed a personal story from Switzerland telling the story of a 40 year-old woman and her fight against Leukaemia. Sylvia Perel Levin, the producer of the film festival said it was great to see the lively interaction between the audience and the film makers, adding it was the best start they could have dreamt of. By Yaa Oforiwah Asare-Peasah, GNA Special Correspondent, Geneva Courtesy CHOCHO Industries/Newmont Ghana