No Evidence of Disease | |
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Directed by | Andrea Kalin |
Produced by | Andrea Kalin Karen Simon Oliver Lukacs |
Starring | Joanie Hope John Boggess Nimesh Nagarsheth William "Rusty" Robinson John Soper William Winter |
Cinematography | Bryan Sarkinen Oliver Lukacs |
Edited by | Amy Young |
Music by | N.E.D. |
Distributed by | Candy Factory Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 84 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
No Evidence of Disease is a feature-length documentary film about N.E.D., a rock band of six gynecologic oncologists who seek to bring more attention and awareness to women's cancers. The film tells the story of the band members - their personal lives as doctors and musicians - and also takes a look into the world of GYN cancers, where patients struggle to fight the disease and advocacy groups and activists seek to raise awareness and research funds for gynecological cancer research and funding. The documentary is from Spark Media, directed and produced by Andrea Kalin, [2] and distributed by Candy Factory Films. [3]
The band No Evidence of Disease (N.E.D.) was formed in 2008. The group of six women's cancer surgeons started playing original music to help create awareness and education for women's cancers and have gone on to release two albums. The film chronicles the lives of the band as they seek to raise awareness for gynecologic cancers through their music. [4] The band is composed of six gynecologic cancer surgeons from across the United States: Dr. John Boggess (vocals, guitar), Dr. Joanie Hope (vocals), Dr. Nimesh Nagarsheth (drums, percussion), Dr. William "Rusty" Robinson (bass, harmonica), Dr. John Soper (guitar), and Dr. William Winter (guitar). They hail from all over the United States, including North Carolina, New Jersey, Washington, and Alaska. [5] The film shows the doctors over the course of a year as they balance songwriting, online rehearsals, concerts, and the release of their second album with their work as gynecologic oncologists. Many of their patients are also portrayed in the film. [6]
No Evidence of Disease premiered on television on March 4, 2015. It was shown on WORLD and will continue to be broadcast in the United States by American Public Television, and in Spanish by Vme TV.
No Evidence of Disease was shown in special screenings in 2012 and 2013. The film's festival premiere was at the LA Femme Film Festiva l on October 18, 2013.
Beginning in 2013, the film was made available for theatrical screenings through the online platform, Tugg, and has screened at over 80 movie theaters around the world. [7] No Evidence of Disease was shown at 44 Regal theaters on February 4, 2015 for World Cancer Day across the United States.
No Evidence of Disease has won awards and screened at many film festivals around the world, including:
The mission of the band, and also the film, is to raise awareness for women's cancers. Dr. Nagarsheth has said that the documentary "is just another added facet to what we're doing... The documentary is going to reach a lot of people... it's just another way to get the word out. [10]
Several other projects related to gynecologic cancer awareness are connected to the film. A 16-minute informational film called What Every Woman Should Know features the doctors of N.E.D. and educates women about the signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancers, and encourages them to know their bodies and take control of their own health. [11]
The filmmakers also became involved in the creation of Globeathon, an international walk to raise awareness for gynecologic cancers. [12]
Marcia Lynne "Marcheline" Bertrand was an American actress who was the former wife of actor Jon Voight and the mother of actress Angelina Jolie and actor James Haven.
Endometrial cancer is a cancer that arises from the endometrium. It is the result of the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. The first sign is most often vaginal bleeding not associated with a menstrual period. Other symptoms include pain with urination, pain during sexual intercourse, or pelvic pain. Endometrial cancer occurs most commonly after menopause.
Ovarian cancer is a cancerous tumor of an ovary. It may originate from the ovary itself or more commonly from communicating nearby structures such as fallopian tubes or the inner lining of the abdomen. The ovary is made up of three different cell types including epithelial cells, germ cells, and stromal cells. When these cells become abnormal, they have the ability to divide and form tumors. These cells can also invade or spread to other parts of the body. When this process begins, there may be no or only vague symptoms. Symptoms become more noticeable as the cancer progresses. These symptoms may include bloating, vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, abdominal swelling, constipation, and loss of appetite, among others. Common areas to which the cancer may spread include the lining of the abdomen, lymph nodes, lungs, and liver.
Viswanathan Shanta was an Indian oncologist and the chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai. She is best known for her efforts towards making quality and affordable cancer treatment accessible to all patients in her country. She dedicated herself to the mission of organizing care for cancer patients, study of the disease, research on its prevention and cure, spreading awareness about the disease, and developing specialists and scientists in various subspecialties of oncology. Her work won her several awards, including the Magsaysay Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award given by the Government of India.
Reproductive medicine is a branch of medicine concerning the male and female reproductive systems. It encompasses a variety of reproductive conditions, their prevention and assessment, as well as their subsequent treatment and prognosis.
Gynecologic oncology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on cancers of the female reproductive system, including ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer, cervical cancer, and vulvar cancer. As specialists, they have extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of these cancers.
Andrea Kalin is an American independent filmmaker, writer, producer, and director. She is also the principal and founder of Spark Media and founder and executive director of Stone Soup Productions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation.
Jonathan S. Berek, MD MMS is the Laurie Kraus Lacob Professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Director of the Stanford Women's Cancer Center, and Senior Advisor, Stanford Cancer Institute. He is a recent past Fellow in the Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute.
N.E.D. is an alternative/folk rock band whose members are medical doctors, mostly gynecologists and gynecologic oncologists. Their members are John Bogess, M.D. on lead vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Nimesh Nagarsheth, M.D. on drums and percussion; Robert "Bob" Burger, M.D. on bass, Gizelka David-West, M.D. on vocals; and William Winter, M.D. on guitar and backing vocals. They released their self-titled debut on Motéma Music in 2009, followed by a second album in 2010 titled 6 Degrees. Their songs focus on emotional content and make no explicit references to cancer.
The Normal Heart is a 2014 American television drama film directed by Ryan Murphy and written by Larry Kramer, based on his 1985 play of the same name. The film stars Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Taylor Kitsch, Jim Parsons, Alfred Molina, Joe Mantello, Jonathan Groff, and Julia Roberts.
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) is a not-for-profit organization focused on ovarian cancer research, advocacy and patient support. The organization was formed in January 2016 when the former not-for-profit organization Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, which focused primarily on ovarian cancer research, combined with Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, which focused primarily on ovarian cancer advocacy and support programs, to form one organization.
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High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is a type of tumour that arises from the serous epithelial layer in the abdominopelvic cavity and is mainly found in the ovary. HGSCs make up the majority of ovarian cancer cases and have the lowest survival rates. HGSC is distinct from low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) which arises from ovarian tissue, is less aggressive and is present in stage I ovarian cancer where tumours are localised to the ovary.
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Bradley J. Monk is an American gynecologic oncologist, academician and researcher. He is a professor on the Clinical Scholar Track in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as at the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. He also serves as Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.
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