No Evidence of Disease

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No Evidence of Disease
No Evidence of Disease Film Poster.jpg
The release poster for the documentary film 'No Evidence of Disease'.
Directed byAndrea Kalin
Produced byAndrea Kalin
Karen Simon
Oliver Lukacs
StarringJoanie Hope
John Boggess
Nimesh Nagarsheth
William "Rusty" Robinson
John Soper
William Winter
Cinematography Bryan Sarkinen
Oliver Lukacs
Edited byAmy Young
Music byN.E.D.
Distributed byCandy Factory Films
Release date
  • February 3, 2013 (2013-02-03) [1]
Running time
84 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

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]

Contents

Summary

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]

Release

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.

Festivals & Awards

No Evidence of Disease has won awards and screened at many film festivals around the world, including:

Awareness efforts

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]

Related Research Articles

Polycystic ovary syndrome Set of symptoms caused by elevated androgens in females

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. The syndrome is named after the characteristic cysts which may form on the ovaries, though it is important to note that this is a sign and not the underlying cause of the disorder.

Marcheline Bertrand American actress (1950–2007)

Marcia Lynne "Marcheline" Bertrand was an American actress. She was the former wife of actor Jon Voight, and the mother of actress Angelina Jolie and actor James Haven.

Endometrial cancer Uterine cancer that is located in tissues lining the uterus

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 Cancer originating in or on the ovary

Ovarian cancer is a cancer that forms in or on an ovary. It results in abnormal cells that have the ability to 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, 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.

Gynecologic ultrasonography

Gynecologic ultrasonography or gynecologic sonography refers to the application of medical ultrasonography to the female pelvic organs as well as the bladder, the adnexa, and the recto-uterine pouch. The procedure may lead to other medically relevant findings in the pelvis.

V. Shanta Indian cancer specialist

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.

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

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.

Primary fallopian tube cancer (PFTC), often just tubal cancer, is a malignant neoplasm that originates from the fallopian tube.

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.

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; Joanie M. Hope, M.D. on lead vocals and guitar; Nimesh Nagarsheth, M.D. on drums and percussion; William "Rusty" Robinson, M.D. on bass and harmonica, John Soper, M.D. on guitar, slide guitar, and mandolin; 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.

Kelly J. Manahan, M.D. is the current Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences in Toledo, Ohio.

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.

<i>What the Health</i> 2017 documentary film critiquing the health impact of meat, eggs and dairy products consumption

What the Health is a 2017 documentary film which critiques the health impact of meat, fish, eggs and dairy products consumption, and questions the practices of leading health and pharmaceutical organizations. Its primary purpose is to advocate for a plant-based diet.

Gynecologic cancer disparities in the United States

Gynecologic cancer disparities in the United States refer to differences in incidence, prevalence, and mortality from gynecologic cancers between population groups. The five main types of gynecologic cancer include cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer. For patients with these and other gynecologic malignancies within the United States, disparities across the care continuum by socioeconomic status and racial/ethnic background have been previously identified and studied. The causes behind these disparities are multifaceted and a complex interplay of systemic differences in health as well as individual patient factors such as cultural, educational, and economic barriers.

Christina Annunziata American medical oncologist

Christina Messineo Annunziata is an American medical oncologist researching molecular signal transduction in ovarian cancer. She is an investigator in the National Cancer Institute's women's malignancies branch and head of the translational genomics section.

Ernst Robert Lengyel is an American gynecologic oncologist. Lengyel is the Arthur L. and Lee G. Herbst Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Chicago. Lengyel directs the Ovarian Cancer Research Laboratory, a translational research laboratory focused on understanding ovarian cancer metastasis and on developing and testing new treatments for ovarian cancer. In this role, Lengyel and his research team began to investigate the role of the fallopian tube in ovarian cancer as the cells more closely resemble those in the fallopian tube rather than the ovary.

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.

Adekunle O. Odunsi is an American gynecologic oncologist. In 2020, Odunsi was named the director of the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Beth Young Karlan is an American gynecologic oncologist. In 2008, she was named editor-in-chief of the medical journals Gynecologic Oncology and Gynecologic Oncology Reports. In 2012, Karlan was appointed by the White House to serve on the National Cancer Advisory Board, and in 2015, she was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.

References

  1. http://leteverywomanknow.org/events/n-e-d-film-premier-and-musicaltribute/ [ dead link ]
  2. "No Evidence of Disease: Documentary and Tribute". Alaska Dispatch. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  3. Grover, Erin. "An Interview With Caitlin Gold of Candy Factory Films". Indiewire.com. Indiewire. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  4. "Dancing with NED - A Cancer Rock Documentary". Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  5. "N.E.D (No Evidence of Disease)". NBC 4 New York. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  6. "Doctor Rocks Out To Fight Against Ovarian Cancer". CBS 4 Denver. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  7. "Tugg.com - No Evidence of Disease". Tugg.com. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  8. "Madelyn's Choice Award". rmwfilmfest.org. Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival. (N.E.D. at festival).
  9. "No Evidence of Disease - Awards". IMDb.com. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  10. "Doctor Rocks Out To Fight Against Ovarian Cancer". CBS 4 Denver. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  11. "Spotlight". The Foundation for Women's Cancer. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  12. "Raising Awareness About Women's Below the Belt Cancers". Healthy Women. Retrieved 24 July 2013.