4th International Conference - Sexuality and Cancer Breast Cancer

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Breast cancer patients and the artists involved in the highly innovative ComMA research programme led an experiential workshop attended by 100 health professional delegates. The experiential workshop explained how patients and artists together explored sexual problems encountered following breast cancer treatment. This novel and highly collaborative approach empowered patients to use art and new forms of artistic expression as an alternative language to express and communicate their feelings of emotional and physical trauma using visual metaphors. ComMA enabled patients to explore and express their feelings through the use of collage, drawing on items such as gowns, which had a deep meaning in the context of their treatment, to enable them to express their feelings openly. Work co-produced by the artists and patients was shared at the workshop to challenge health professionals to understand the patients’ concerns, insecurities and difficulties in communicating their sexual and relationship problems.