The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network will screen a new movie in Boise Thursday to help raise funds for people who face breast and ovarian cancer.
The movie Decoding Annie Parker stars Helen Hunt and Idaho actor Aaron Paul.
Jennifer Poole with the American Cancer Society says the film is based on real events. “It’s about the journey of research doctor and a breast cancer patient, to determine there is a genetic connection for some woman as to why they get breast cancer and ovarian cancer.”
The genetic links to breast and ovarian cancer are now known as BRCA. The genes received attention this year when actress Angelina Jolie announced she had the gene. She had her breasts removed because of it.
Poole says the movie highlights the story of cancer survivor Annie Parker whose sister and mother died of breast cancer. “It’s kind of a roller coaster ride of humor because of life’s realities and then also tears over life’s realities.”
In 2011, 258 people in Idaho died of breast or ovarian cancer. That’s out of more than 2,500 cancer deaths in the state.
The movie will be screened at 7 p.m. at the Flicks. After the film, director Steven Bernstein and area genetic counselors will discuss the movie and its impact on cancer communities. Half of the $50 ticket cost goes to American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and half goes to the BRCA Gene Awareness organization to help women with the BRCA gene.
Copyright 2013 Boise State Public Radio
