Farrah Fawcett's Cancer Journal Coming To TV

NEW YORK — NBC News next week will air a two-hour special on Farrah Fawcett's battle with cancer.

"Farrah's Story" is described as an extremely personal look at how the former "Charlie's Angels" star is coping and being treated. Fawcett is suffering from anal cancer that has spread to her liver and has suffered complications from an unrelated procedure performed in Germany.

Her friend Alana Stewart shot most of the footage with a home video recorder. Ryan O'Neal and former "Charlie's Angels" co-stars Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson appear. It follows the 62-year-old actress through treatments in the United States and Germany.

"This film is very personal," Fawcett said. "At the time, I didn't know if anybody would ever see it. But at some point, the footage took on a life of its own and dictated that it be seen."

Fawcett wanted to set the record straight about her diagnosis, treatment and future, said Doug Vaughan, NBC News senior vice president of specials and alternative development.

Fawcett said that she would have liked to have kept her cancer private, but realized others might benefit from learning about her experiences. NBC paid her a licensing fee for the footage, but isn't saying how much.

Comments

[Steve Sanders]

Keep it private.

[harriettubman]

WTH???!!! Who wants to see that? I'll watch just about anything but why this? Anal cancer is rare. Is she going to let the public know if she falls into the risk group? Did the treatment in Germany work? If this isn't a teaching documentary, I don't want to see it.

[darthmaul]

Must see TV. I guess this could have been predicted given the intelligence level of the TV executives.

[Bitsko]

Goodie! Now I'll have something to watch while the gas fumes fill the garage.

[justice11]

Well we know celebrities can't have any privacy. I think she's doing the right thing and with all the treatments and what she's gone through the money will come in handy. God Bless her and I pray for her in having to go through this horrible disease.

[davidwayneosedach]

Let's say she only did it for the money. Why not? This cancer is terminal and she needs whatever she canget.

[daetig09]

She justifiably wants to choose how and when her story is told. This woman has been an icon of beauty for decades, and the sheer curiosity factor will hopefully turn out a huge audience.

Any benefit for cancer research and treatment will no doubt be the reason she opted to make her personal struggle public.

You can only admire the woman. More funding for cancer research now!

[Topfeeder]

Jade Goody 2.0

[Steamboater]

First Fawcett didn't want the attention because she said it prevented her from going through the healing process and coming to terms with this cancer, and now this. Go figure.

[festry548]

People can change their minds. I think she deserves credit for bringing her story to the public. Like Christina Applegate and others, she puts a face on cancer. Perhaps she'll bring hope and courage to others with cancer -- everyday men and women -- by filming this program.

[Glenn Manning]

Can't you keep a little privacy??