Colorful screams of silent emotions: A study with oncological patients

Abstract

Background:Art, as a product of human behavior, is the expression of emotions from inner states and may provide catharsis, purification, and release. Several branches of art, most notably music, dance, and painting, can be used for treatment purposes, especially in the case of psychological disorders. Cancer, which is defined as uncontrolled cell growth, has been an important health issue throughout history, but the recent increase in its frequency has made it one of the most significant public health problems. Both the physiological distress the disease subjects the body to and the accompanying emotional distress are important factors to be considered in cancer treatment.Aims:In this study, the role of art in expressing emotions of oncological patients was investigated.Materials and Methods:During the treatment period, patients were interviewed about their experiences, feelings, expectations and perceptions. The picture was used as an expression of emotions.Results:Communication between the patient and doctor is one of the most important elements in the treatment process, and it has come to the fore in branches of medicine, such as oncology, because of its positive contribution to treatment compliance. In general, the study showed a pronounced positivity and expectations on the part of patients from the hope-life-healing process rather than oncological treatment.Conclusion:In this study, we aim to demonstrate how the artistic expression of emotions, in particular, through painting, has a positive effect on healing, hope, and the interactions between cancer patients under oncological treatment and medical professionals.

Screening for Distress in Oncological Patients: The Revised Version of the Psychological Distress Inventory (PDI-R)

“…Despite the advances in the medical field, the diagnosis of cancer brings with it physical changes associated with the disease itself or to treatment side effects and certainly represents a stressful life event that may induce psychological distress in both patients and their loved ones (Norton et al, 2004;Sellick and Edwardson, 2007;-also significantly altering the quality of their relationship (Mannarini and Boffo, 2014;Mannarini et al, 2017;Saritas et al, 2017;Catania et al, 2019;Granek et al, 2019;Rakici and Karaman, 2019).…”

Art therapy and self-image: A 5-year follow-up art therapy RCT study of women diagnosed with breast cancer

“…A Canadian review on gender-related experiences of cancer survivors who explored their identities through creative arts reported four transformative moments: (1) fostering reflection after a cancer diagnosis, (2) constructing new narratives of gender post cancer, (3) navigating gender norms in search of support for new identities, and (4) interrogation of perceived gender norms (Saunders et al, 2019). A study of pre–post art therapy group intervention for cancer patients showed decreasing levels of anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness post intervention (De Feudis et al, 2019), and Rakici and Karaman (2019) reported how cancer patients benefitted emotionally from art making. These authors regarded art as a human behavior.…”