British Reality Star Jade Goody to Document the end of her Struggle with Cervical Cancer by Dr. Sharon Orrange/Primary Care Physician: at DailyStrength Doctors and Experts

Dr Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California San Diego and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…

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Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of Geriatric, Hospital and General Internal Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

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British Reality Star Jade Goody to Document the end of her Struggle with Cervical Cancer

Posted in Accidents by Dr. Sharon Orrange on Feb 21, 2009

There are mixed reactions to the filming of Jade Goody during the end of her life after a struggle against cervical cancer. I am glad to see the discussion taking place. Jade Goody is a reality star in England who has finished her last salvage chemotherapy regimen for late stage cervical cancer, and has run out of treatment options. She is filming the end of her life for British TV and having pictures taken at her upcoming wedding.

I don't have mixed feelings about this. I am glad to see this happen and I'll tell you why. First, the money she is being paid doesn't bother me at all as I'm pretty certain her sons will benefit from this. I'd rather see them get it than the money managers at UBS bank.

Second, by far my most meaningful memories in medicine are being with patients and their families during decisions regarding end of life care, and serving as the primary care provider for my patients as they pass away from their illness. We may get to see some of the process take place with Jane Goody: when does she decide to go to hospice care? How is her pain and anxiety treated? How do her friends and family members deal her during the end of her life? I often find that for patients and families their visions of end of life suffering are from TV and movies until they actually see it. I remember seeing Tammy Faye Baker on Larry King weeks before she died from lung cancer and thinking many would be shocked at how she looked, not me. Your friends and family will look much different as they are dying from cancer after a long struggle with chemotherapy and seeing Jane Goody and Tammy Faye may prepare you a little more for that. Let me be blunt, it is true we can try to control pain, anxiety, and constipation at the end of life but we can't control that your loved ones will looked wasted, thin and pale with sunken eyes. If we see Jade Goody look this way as she enters the last stage of her life is that so bad? If it is disturbing to some they don't have to watch. All of us at some point will be making decisions for ourselves and our loved ones about pursuing yet another round of chemo, radiation, or another operation. Might it be helpful to be able to picture what the last stage may feel and look like?

Will this help? I'm not sure, but it can't hurt. The additional hope is that it focuses light on the importance of screening for a cancer that is easily preventable. I have a patient who has both breast and cervical cancer and she always told me that the support she received from others with breast cancer far overwhelmed the support she received about her cervical cancer. We have many on Dailystrength who are suffering from cervical cancer or were lucky to have their abnormal cervical cells caught early in a pap and are taking care of it. I don't know this girl at all but I do know the struggles people face with chemotherapy side effects, the pain of cervical cancer, anxiety when facing a terminal illness, and now you will too..... if you watch her on TV.

I'd love to hear your thoughts

Dr O.

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Displaying comments 35-16 of 35

I've heard that British doctor's don't typically screen every year.
As much as I hate pap smears I'd rather do that than die.

By Cares39 Apr 29, 2009

The entire Cervical Cancer topic really peeves me! I had severe dysplasia after just one year... I had regular paps every year. It turned out my husband had cheated on me and passed the HPV virus to me. I realize some HPV can stay in your system a long time, but the particular strain I had was only 6-month life according to my GYN. I think it is a terrible double-standard that we must submit to yearly paps and men are never tested to see if they are carriers. I'm glad there are vaccinations now, but that isn't enough! MEN should be tested regularly to see if they are carriers before they spread this terrible life-killing disease to us women! They think they are safe if they use condoms, but they are NOT! WE ARE NOT! Needless to say I am no longer married to that SOB! To this day he refuses to aknowledge he is the one who made me sick. he claims I cheated on HIm... I KNOW i didn't! I KNOW he cheated on me because he stayed out all night and carried around condoms... condoms we never used because we were married!

By LillyLaSombra Apr 26, 2009

Tho I have not heard of this woman until reading this (I am going to google her tho as want to learn more) I think without a doubt she is very couragous. There comes a time when the terminally ill should be allowed to go gracefully and noone but noone should be able to say when that time is. We do not get to judge another's pain whether it be physically, mentally or emotionally. My now 21 year old daughter is a cervical cancer survivor, She is in year 4 of remission and I thank God every day for sparing her life and letting her be able to have beat it. She will graduate in May with top honors and jer RN's license and she plans on going back to college after this to work on her PA degree. Had she tho not gone into remission or had fallen out of it and decided that, for whatever reason, she would not begoing thru chemo and/or radiation again I would have respected her wishes. Yes it would hurt to have lost her, we are not supposed to outlive our children but in the end only she could have made the decision of whether she could handle another round of treatment. It is not only about the quantity of life that some treatments can give a patient but also the quality of life they will have while they are still among the living.

By rebelfem Mar 13, 2009

I for one will NOT Be watching.

By respectful Mar 06, 2009

As a fellow brit Jade Goody now Mrs Jade Tweed almost dominates the news headlines. I am in Jades corner, she has two young sons to provide for. They are her priority. The money she makes from filming her last few weeks of life is to secure their future. She had a really bad childhood & had to see to her self from an early age, her family were poor so who can blame her for making sure her boys dont live on the breadline like she did. She is a very loving mother & she may say the wrong things but she doesnt pretend to be anything but herself. Her status hasnt gone to her head, she doesnt look down on those who have less than her & she definately aint false. What you see is what you get. She could afford an army of cleaners but chooses to clean her home herself. She is one of the most successful reality tv contestants from big brother & she might come across as being a bit empty in the brain department but she has her head screwed on, she used her fame from big brother in a very clever way, she invested in her own salon & done tv interviews & radio interviews & even brought out a fitness video that made her alot of money, she also has her own perfume make. I dont blame her one little bit. Here in England the turn out for smear tests have dramatically gone up, all because of Jade. She has saved so many lives using her own illness to make the public see how crucial it is to have regular smears. All this about her being racist is a load of bull, it was completely blown out of proportion. Her father is black & so are many of her family. Finally i would like to say if anyone is offended or doesnt want to see Jade filmed in her final days then simply dont watch.

By loumc Mar 03, 2009

I am british ,living in the uk ,so know Jade goody well ,by her tv appearances ,and news she has made over the years since her BB show.
I personally think ,how she chooses to end her life ,is up to her ,nobody else~~after all ,this will be the last decission she makes ,so why shouldnt she have the final say.
According to the interviews she has done ,she is deciding to do this publicly ,firstly so her two young boys will have some financial security after her death ,and secondly ,to raise awareness of cervical cancer in young women.
With Jade we know it was missed 3 times~~she`d been in hospital with pain ,severe bleeding ,and then a miscarriage ,yet still they missed it~~was this because they assumed she was too young?? I guess we`ll never know that ,but we should all be grateful ,that this sick ,dying young woman is brave enough to go through the end of her life ,still with cameras filming her.
there has already been an increase in young girls having regular smear checks ,since this news has gone public~~surely this can only be a positive thing?
As to wether we watch her last moments ,if indeed she does let them continue to film ,then that is up to the individual.
I`m sorry ,but i do not like ppl moaning about it~~if you dont want to see this (and i dont know yet ,im sensitive ,and not sure if im as brave as her ,to see the end or not)~~but those who dont want to ,need only to switch channels ,or turn off their tvs ,its that simple.
I do commend Jade for what she is trying to get across to the general public ,not "glamourise" her situation ,as has been suggested by some papers over here.
This cannot have been easy to do ,and my heart and prayers go out to both her ,her two little boys ,and her family.
God bless jade ,you will never ever be forgotten ,and not just for your reality star status ,but for your unending courage.....

By Rocky7 Mar 03, 2009

Here in England, you don't normally have a smear test until your 25, as cervical cancer is rare under this age. Although Jade is older than 25, it has highlighted the need for young women to get tested.

Some women actually get turned away from their doctor, because the doctor thinks they are too young to get cervical cancer. But this means young women are dying when it could have been prevented if treated early on.

My thoughts are with jade and her family

By mrstobe Feb 26, 2009

IS this show on in the US? If so... could someone send me a PM about it? I think this is truely incredible! What a courageous thing to do and think of how many lives she will touch...

By lladyfairhair Feb 26, 2009

I have been following the tv series on jade and also read her autobiography. i so admire her determination and honesty and think she has been a wonderful mother to her 2 young sons. its just so sad for them as they are only 4 and 5 and will miss her terribly. i agree its good to show people how cancer really is as its often a taboo subject still

By JUNE4 Feb 26, 2009

Jade is truly an inspiration. A beautiful young woman, whose energy and life and love for her boys is what we all hope for in ourselves. She has raised everyones awareness of Cancer. God be kind to her, and look after her family xxx

By tracy1972 Feb 25, 2009

I think what Jade is doing is truly admirable. Although previously she may have made the headlines for not such commendable behaviour, by broadcasting her own battle she has hugely raised awareness of a cancer which is sadly so overlooked by the younger generation in the UK. Having watched one of my best friends die from cancer last year and leave behind a daughter of 2.5 I can only imagine how frightening it must be for her and all of those close to her. If this is how she choses to spend her last days/weeks then who am I to critisize her decision. I have never been in her situation and hopefully never will be and she is doing what she feels is right and best for all involved and ensuring a decent upbringing for her sons. I just find it incredibly sad that the general public have to witness a celebrity's struggle against inevitable death in order to take steps to protect their own health.

By rah11 Feb 24, 2009

i think she will leave a legacy of courage and love to her boys that is undeniable. her generosity in sharing her journey will ripple out to affect who knows how many lives! she may save the lives of many and in the process gain peace knowing her children will be provided for. she is an example of goodness to all.

By janey Feb 24, 2009

I would like to thank all who have wrote about Jade in such a lovely way.As I have said before I know Jade and Jackie for about 27 years and this is a bad time for all who know her and her family.I have just heard that she now only has 2 weeks at the most,I hope she has done all she wanted now,like getting married she will be so sadly missed.Once again thanks for saying nice things as so many peaple don,t.

By miahugsandprayers Feb 24, 2009

THANK YOU for bringing this topic up and what you said.....I was very moved as I experienced the passing of my father last Sept. and nothing can prepare you for what the reality is. I have been tormented nightly and relive my father's final hours,the waves of inner conflict and the look in his eyes.........watching my father die. Jade is offering a great gift to herself and the universe for her spirit and purpose. And, it was wonderful of you to bring this topic to light, here...it helped me to process some things within myself, and I am sure it will help others, too. Thanks again, Dr. O....Blessings.

By concreteblond Feb 24, 2009

Here in Britain there are mixed feelings about Jade's decision to film her struggle with cancer, not everyone thinks it is a good thing. I think she is doing a huge service for the families and friends of people who have cancer, because she is showing some of the real face of it. I think she is being hugely courageous to allow herself to be seen getting thinner and sicker, and that poor little bald head is heartbreaking. I thought the other day, when she came home to get ready for her wedding, she looked incredibly beautiful and composed. She hasn't always been popular in this country, but I know that when she dies, there will be a lot of sadness amongst the public at her passing. I think she is amazing, and I take my hat off to her.

By MrsClooney Feb 24, 2009

My 26 year old daughter and 46 year old sister both had type 2b cervical cancer.My daughter is cancer free as of this day ,but my sister didnt make it.Darlene passed away Oct.11 2008 in Palitive care .The chemo took its toll on her body ,but the worst part is the Dr kept on saying we can beat this she will be fine .I dont no how he defines ok but my sister is gone and I feel he played a big part in her death.I feel cervical cancer needs as much attention as breast cancer due to the fact women are losing there battle with this cancer everyday.The treatments for cervical cancer are harsh the internal implants are a nightmare something from mid-eveil days .My sisters last few hours were horriable not something I would want to see again .She started to have seziures at 3am on up until 6 am when she died .

By DebbieSC Feb 23, 2009

I would like to support everything you have said, I am in the UK and am following the Jade story. She is so brave, yes she has made mistakes, but who hasnt, the difference is that she made hers on national TV.
She has had such a difficult childhood and the money will ensure that her boys wont endure the same life.
I just wish there would be a miracle, I still cant really believe that she's dying, shes always been such a 'big' person in this country.
I am finding the documentaries very hard to watch and I have problems sleeping afterwards, but shes's doing it for the right reasons and I hope lots of people are encouraged to go for their smears. I was diagnosed with early cell changes 35 years ago and had them removed,I just hope that everyone will now go for smears.
I never thought I would say this, but I will miss Jade very much, shes a very remarkable young woman.

By bonnytiz Feb 23, 2009

I am fully supportivee for Jade and her two sons, her mum and Jack who got married to Jade yesterday (22 Feb UK). Sure Jade has made her mistakes but don't we all. She was not known in the UK for her intellect (I look back on the days of when she first appeared on Big Brother). I know the controvery about Celebrity Big Brother, no she was not right in comments made, but Jade being Jade would not have made an intellectual choice with regard to racism.

India took Jade by storm as they felt it was purposely racist. Jade would not know what that meant. When she was told in another 'Big Brother' she had cancer many thought it was a publicity stunt. Well, shame on you all.

Jade is living her 'terminal illness' in documentary form. For me, it has beeen hard to watch. She is so young, has two young children, broken relationships and a mum who previously had a drug addicition and can only now function with one arm due to a motorbike accident.

My sister-in-law lost her son at 27, he had five kids under 5 years old. Jade made the decision to get a deal with OK magazine so money brought in from that went to her sons. She knew she was dying after learning she had secondaries. This was why in the last documentary, Jade did not appear.

For all her faults, she did not deserve and does not deserve to die. Unfortunately, Jade cannot make a choice, it has been made for her.

I wish Jack, her two boys and her mum for staying brave. They will need support with a situation that ought not happen to a non-intellectual but lovable woman who went through a bad childhood but somehow made it good. Please never forget none of us are infalliable. Jade - may you rest in peace when your time has come, I will miss your insanity!

By ruth61 Feb 23, 2009

I wanted to add one more comment, and it has to do with a movie I saw many, many years ago starring Michael Keaton called, "My Life". I don't want to Hollywoodize any of the seriousness of cancer, and it in NO WAY can compare to what this beautiful, brave woman is doing, no way.....but, it was such a touching movie because he made it a point in the movie to tell one doctor, "How dare you take away my hope!" His wife was pregnant in the movie (Nicole Kidman) and he knew he would not be around when the baby was born, so, he went ahead and filmed himself talking to his son through the many stages of the boys life, advising him, talking to him about the ways of living and the things he might face. It also showed him trying to repair some distances in his family.

I had no idea at the time when I watched this beautiful movie, (1980;a) that I would one day watch and lose friends and family to this dreaded, terrible thing called cancer.

hurtnallthetime

By hurtnallthetime Feb 23, 2009

I too am fully in support of the her decision. Many australian viewers may not have seen any footgae of Jade but she is bold, forthright, brutally honest and has a refreshing lack of sophistication. I think she will open up an emotional world that will be a painful but valuable preparation for hopefully an expereince none us want to face but one day may have to.

By RebeccaLacey Feb 23, 2009

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