The “Big C”: Identifying and Mitigating Contagion

In the Showtime TV series “The Big C,” the main character is diagnosed with a deadly cancer—the “Big C.” In response, this suburban housewife suddenly takes out-of-character, impulsive actions—from buying a bright red sports car to putting a large pool in her tiny backyard to having an affair with a painter. She denies the severity of her disease and undergoes alternative treatment (such as being stung by bees) rather than follow the standard protocol. All of these actions can provide a temporary distraction, but they often have unintended consequences and, in the end, do nothing to stop the “Big C.” Eventually, the main character comes to grip with the inevitability of her disease and undergoes treatment—an extremely difficult decision that may not yield success, but is her best chance for long-term survival.