How Watching the Movie Zombieland Helps Treatment of Cancer in Teenagers

“Doctors are men who prescribe medicines of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, in human beings of whom they know nothing.” Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet) French Enlightenment writer and philosopher, 1694–1778

Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet)

French Enlightenment writer and philosopher, 1694–1778

Abstract

The paper describes a challenging clinical encounter with an adolescent undergoing treatment for cancer. Undeniably, oncologists have a very challenging job. It requires more than simply diagnosing and treating cancer by giving chemotherapy and checking blood counts. The challenges they face are increased when caring for a teenager with cancer. Providing opportunities for these young patients to be involved in their own treatment and motivating them in tough times are crucial. Communication is the foremost way to keep all doors open in this unique physician–patient relationship. One such approach is “movie therapy” using characters and actions as metaphors for describing cancer and cancer treatment.