title: Stories of breast cancer through art.
abstract: 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.
authors: Women's Cancer Program, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, USA. ponto.julie@mayo.edu
authors: Julie A
authors: JA
authors: Ponto
authors: Marlene H
authors: MH
authors: Frost
authors: Romayne
authors: R
authors: Thompson
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Allers
authors: Tracy
authors: T
authors: Reed-Will
authors: Katie
authors: K
authors: Zahasky
authors: Kay B
authors: KB
authors: Thiemann
authors: Jane H
authors: JH
authors: Chelf
authors: Mary E
authors: ME
authors: Johnson
authors: Sylvester
authors: S
authors: Sterioff
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Rubin
authors: Lynn C
authors: LC
authors: Hartmann
mesh_terms: 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