In the Prime of Life
In the US and around the world, a disease once thought of as affecting the elderly is increasingly becoming a disease of adults in the prime of their lives. “Early onset” cancer, cancer affecting adults from 18-49, increased globally by a staggering 79% between 1990 and 2019. As scientists around the world are trying to comprehend what is causing this broad rise, In the Prime of Life takes us inside Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where Tobias follows a small group of patients as they deal with their cancer diagnosis, treatment, and the effect of the disease. With her signature blend of curiosity and empathy, Tobias documents every aspect of their lives – from dating and marriage to work and finances, from sexuality and fertility to friendship and parenting. For the first time in its history, MSK is granting exclusive access to their doctors, scientists and other staff as they race to understand and treat these patients’ disease and work to provide specialized support for this rising population.