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The Cancer Conflict

Play trailer Poster for The Cancer Conflict 2021 Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
It's estimated that up to up to 90% of cancer patients look for alternative or complimentary treatments, a decision that doubles the risk of death. But in a world of misinformation, how can patients make an informed choice? And what are the consequences of turning away from experts? We follow two cancer patients. Grant, who has chosen evidence-based treatment not available to him from his local health service, and Surinder, who has chosen to turn her back on conventional treatment and to trust entirely in alternative medicine. Their moving personal stories are supported by testimony from doctors who explain the treatments Grant and Surinder have chosen, and the terrible risks that they are both running. Grant and Surinder are just two examples of the difficulties and dilemmas faced by hundreds of thousands of families fighting cancer every day. When your life is on the line, how far would you go?

Critics Reviews

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Brad Newsome Sydney Morning Herald The film’s greatest value is in the way it plainly illuminates many of the misconceptions and seductive fallacies that lead people to reject effective treatments in favour of useless ones. Rated: 4.5/5 Oct 21, 2022 Full Review Mike McCahill Guardian [A] tricky yet involving documentary... Rated: 3/5 Sep 13, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ems C I thought this was a beautifully made and emotional documentary. As someone who has chosen both surgery and complementary approaches for my own cancer and had great success, I was hoping to see a more balanced range of stories. There are many people who use alternatives with or without conventional treatment and go on to do incredibly well. Including those voices could have offered a more rounded and encouraging picture, especially for those trying to make sense of their options. I also found myself wondering how many other people were followed during filming whose stories were left out and whether any had more positive outcomes. Many of us navigating cancer want to feel informed not frightened and I felt the film could unintentionally leave some viewers feeling more limited than empowered in their choices. Having been through this journey myself, I know how hard it is to make decisions that feel right and how much respectful support matter especially from the specialists. It is an important film that opens the door to deeper conversations but it felt like it only told one side of a much bigger story. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/23/25 Full Review Laura B A devastatingly beautiful documentary, touching on one of the ever growing problems in our ever growing population, the big C. It invites you to ask quite possibly the most important question: what would you do ? Poignant. Raw and real. Heartbreaking and heartfelt. I cried deeply watching this, and it's by no means lacking in love and hope. Quite the opposite. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/14/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Cancer Conflict

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Cast & Crew

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Thomas Meadmore

Director

Dhanushka Anson

Narrator

Nic Guttridge

Screenwriter

Thomas Meadmore

Producer

Alice Brooks

Producer

Shaun Miller

Producer
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The Cancer Conflict

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Movie Info

Synopsis It's estimated that up to up to 90% of cancer patients look for alternative or complimentary treatments, a decision that doubles the risk of death. But in a world of misinformation, how can patients make an informed choice? And what are the consequences of turning away from experts? We follow two cancer patients. Grant, who has chosen evidence-based treatment not available to him from his local health service, and Surinder, who has chosen to turn her back on conventional treatment and to trust entirely in alternative medicine. Their moving personal stories are supported by testimony from doctors who explain the treatments Grant and Surinder have chosen, and the terrible risks that they are both running. Grant and Surinder are just two examples of the difficulties and dilemmas faced by hundreds of thousands of families fighting cancer every day. When your life is on the line, how far would you go?
Director
Thomas Meadmore
Producer
Thomas Meadmore, Alice Brooks, Shaun Miller, David Hughes, Paul Hulligan, Avi Federgreen
Screenwriter
Nic Guttridge
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English