Analyze the impact of art and cancer on cancer patients’ quality of life, physical and mental symptoms Art therapy is simply using art to assist healing. In this way, art meets the physical, emotional, and spiritual requirements of cancer patients. Art can be used in a creative or experienced fashion, such as painting, drawing, sculpture, beading, or other creative activities.

Cancer causes deep feelings that are often difficult to convey in words. To help you deal, you can convey your sentiments to your loved ones, helping them to understand what you are going through. It may also help you express hidden emotions. Some researchers believe emotions are initially felt in visuals, then words. So art can help you tap into your inner feelings before you can articulate the words.

History

Art therapy has been around for as long as mankind. Before the written word, art was utilized to describe emotions ranging from joy to grief and physical suffering. The American Art Therapy Association was created in 1969 after scientists realized that art may help diagnose and cure mental and physical diseases. This organization promotes art therapy in medicine and sets standards for registered art therapists.

To Heal Through Art

It’s unclear how art can help recover. It might be a time for solitude in the middle of the stress of cancer treatments. Painting can help many people shift their mindset. If you’re depressed, you could be more inspired to keep going. Anxious people may feel calm and peaceful.

Art can aid cancer sufferers.

When you’re diagnosed with cancer, you want to feel better. Many individuals say it’s family. Others enjoy traveling or music.

When Pam Lynch was diagnosed with M.M. in 2016, she turned to an old friend, her painting. Pam liked to draw as a child. It was her style. But she put down her paintbrush and colored pencils for nearly 40 years. An art program at the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center reignited her interest.

“It was the beginning of re-entering my craft,” Pam stated.

Pam reconnected with her craft while physicians treated her illness. The program at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas encourages individuals to express themselves creatively.

Pam Lynch found art therapy. Her paintings portrayed both her struggle and her hope as she battled cancer. Inspiring artwork currently hangs in the cancer center.

“It’s been fun,” Pam said.

Writing things down forces me to face challenges.

“You can’t hide or run.”

The art program is open to all patients and family members. The program is expanding and offers courses seven days a week.

“To see how it is helping others is just beyond words,” said Ashley Jones, the program’s artist in residence.

Please contact the Virginia R. Cvetko Patient Education Center for more information.

Painting, according to art therapy researchers, modifies brain wave patterns. It may also affect brain hormones and neurotransmitters. Painting has been demonstrated to modify one’s experience of pain, hence altering one’s outlook on life.

Cancer Patients Can Use

Art has been proved to enhance both physical and mental health. Other benefits for cancer patients:

Better mental and emotional health

Anxiety, despair, and exhaustion were found to be reduced in women with breast cancer in a 2018 comprehensive study.

Another study found a reduction in feelings of anxiety and despair.

Making art has been shown to help reduce symptoms of worry and depression associated with a cancer diagnosis. Notable is the fact that this advantage may be long-lasting. One study found that art therapy improved depression and anxiety symptoms in breast cancer patients.