There are 10 million new cancer cases worldwide each year. Experiences vary, with differing levels of healthcare, education, resources in treatment and support available.

Cancer is a cause of anxiety and depression in all patients and their loved ones. The experience of cancer has a profound effect on the individual and their community of family and friends.

With information accessible online, people have the opportunity to be better informed of their choices when facing cancer.

We are finding new areas of study becoming more visible. One emerging is Psycho-Social Oncology, where the “human” aspects of care are considered and research undertaken.

Research by behavioural scientists have shown that becoming strongly involved with psychological and spiritual “self help” work is associated with greater improved quality of life.

An interesting and very positive area to discover, for those facing cancer is - Post traumatic growth (PTG) . This addresses the positive life changes that arise from traumatic experiences, it explores both the process and outcomes of trauma-with an emphasis on growth.

Why are the artists are constructing a new model?
The artists are looking at historical models of people facing cancer:
victim – with its sense of powerlessness
combatative – talking in terms of “winning” & “failure” in the “fight” against cancer

The artists are looking at new metaphors and are visualising the construction of a kinder and less distressing model.

They are looking to interpret creatively the meaning of experiences that are important to the quality of living of people facing cancer.

Dr. Jimmi Holland,
Chair Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York
opens the IPOS Congress, Copenhagen, 2004.

Artists “Whitework Installation” to left of seated audience.

They aim to provide a “tool kit” of strategies for people who are facing a life with cancer, to initiate a new vocabulary in describing this experience, and to share this information through the media and established cancer support networks on the web.

The artists are actively seeking partners on the construction of Transformations – A New Model, and wish to engage with Research bodies and organisations on a similar path.

The artists participated in and exhibited their work at the 7th World Congress of Psycho-Oncology in Copenhagen in August 2004.