Stories of breast cancer through art.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of an art exhibit, created in response to breast cancer survivor stories, and additional supplementary activities to increase cancer awareness and provide support to those with cancer.


METHODS
Published articles and books, personal experiences.


RESULTS
Art has been used to educate and promote the expression of emotions. Using an art exhibit as the central feature, a planning committee composed of staff members and volunteers developed a repertoire of activities to improve cancer awareness and provide support to cancer survivors. Visitor and staff reactions to the event were profound.


CONCLUSIONS
Art can capture the most intimate and personal aspects of the cancer experience. This event was a novel and effective way to increase awareness about the cancer experience. The event brought together patients, family members, friends, staff members, and the community and facilitated new partnerships to help people with cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses are well equipped to direct the therapeutic use of art and support the potential reactions of viewers. Nurses can promote the benefit of art exhibits for cancer education, support, and awareness and use their knowledge and skills in planning and implementing supplementary activities.
Ponto
Julie A
JA
Women's Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA. ponto.julie@mayo.edu
Frost
Marlene H
MH
Thompson
Romayne
R
Allers
Teresa
T
Reed-Will
Tracy
T
Zahasky
Katie
K
Thiemann
Kay B
KB
Chelf
Jane H
JH
Johnson
Mary E
ME
Sterioff
Sylvester
S
Rubin
Joseph
J
Hartmann
Lynn C
LC
D001154:Art; D001155:Art Therapy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D004501:Education, Medical; D004506:Education, Nursing; D005085:Exhibitions as Topic; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D006770:Hospitals, Group Practice; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008910:Minnesota