Laura Linney & 'The Big C'
- Laura Linney won an Emmy for Netflix’s Ozark, but has yet to nab a Golden Globe nomination for the hit show.
- The actress won a Golden Globe for her stunning performance of a person living with melanoma in The Big C.
- Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, if not caught early
Memorable Performances
Actress Laura Linney warmed our hearts and stole a slew of our tears playing Cathy Jamison, a woman with melanoma in the Showtime series The Big C. The New York City native's comedic and dramatic portrayal of a wife and mother living with cancer was so rock solid that she wound up nabbing a Golden Globe win for the show in 2012, her second after 2009's John Adams, not to mention four other nominations. Read MoreView this post on Instagram
Cancer on TV
While we are rooting for that to happen, we thought we would flash back on the importance of The Big C and the positive impact that it had on lessening the stigma of cancer. Linney's character went through emotional pitfalls as she navigated through her diagnosis just like the rest of us, but her role was layered and showed a more human side of having cancer. For example, those living with cancer can still be funny.
Related: Jenny Saldana Found Humor in Her Cancer Journey, And Turned it into a "Dramedy"
In one of the episodes, when a woman tries to cut in front of her at the store and says she's "pressed for time," Linney's character responds, "I'm a little pressed for time too, I have cancer," she says with a smirk. Mic drop. (Who else has snarkily used the “C card” before, I know I have!) The once-uptight woman who strived for perfection every day starts living for the first time and we enjoyed watching every rebellious minute of it.
Cancer and Empathy
Linney shared a touching story with The Hollywood Reporter back in 2013 about learning just how powerful the show’s value was while having an emotional exchange with a cab driver.
“I was in London, and I had gotten into a cab, and the driver burst into tears,” she had said. “I was so confused because I didn’t realize that the show was that popular there to begin with, and he was so very grateful for the show. His wife has cancer, and they watch the show together, and he was very sweet and grateful that the show allowed them a way to talk to each other. That was really nice. You don’t realize when you make a TV show that that’s what you hope for.”
Related: SurvivorNetTV Presents: Dave The Power of Talking About Cancer
To be able to understand what a person with cancer is going through is monumental, and beautifully complex characters like Linney’s does more for this community than she even knows. Watching the show, drinking in the character, and seeing what she struggles with during her daily life shows another perspective and helps a partner or family member without cancer have more empathy for their loved ones going through it, especially when it’s well done.
I Didn't Beat Cancer Good Medicine and Good Luck Beat Cancer
Metastatic melanoma survivor MaryElizabeth Williams from New York shares a slightly different — and perhaps more realistic — perspective on cancer and credits everything and everyone else to beating it. “I don’t have cancer today and I couldn’t be more grateful, but I didn’t beat it,” she shared with SurvivorNet. “Science beat it. Health insurance beat it. Really good medicine and good luck beat cancer.”
What Is Melanoma?
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer if not caught early. It starts in the melanocytes of the skin, which are cells with the pigment melanin (how you are able to get tan). The American Cancer Society predicts that there will be around 106,110 new melanomas diagnosed in the United States in 2021, noting that more than half of these cases will be men over women. The best way to steer clear of a skin cancer diagnosis is by staying out of the sun or covering up when outside, and making sure to get skin checks by your dermatologist.
Routine Screening Helps Monitor for Melanoma Recurrence
Dr. Cecelia Larocca from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview that early-stage patients should typically have routine skins exams every three to six months, and then annual for follow-ups. Later-stage patients may have more extensive screening, which may include imaging and/or blood work. In between check-ups, keep an eye on your skin, and note any new moles, or changes in shape or color to existing moles.
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