Art therapy as supportive-expressive therapy in breast cancer treatment

Abstract

Aims: Art therapy as supportive-expressive therapy is gaining increasing importance in psycho-oncology. The aim of this paper is to describe the experience of participating in art therapy of a patient with breast cancer and to review the literature regarding the effectiveness of art therapy during breast cancer treatment. Methods: The participant undergoing medical treatment for breast cancer was treated at the Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, at the Department of Psychological Medicine. A therapeutic approach was used to analyze the patient's data. Review of the literature in the field of art therapy in psycho-oncology was done, with a particular focus on the approach to patients with breast cancer. Results: Studies have found that breast cancer diagnosis has a large impact on the emotional, cognitive and social functioning of women. It is important to develop strategies to strengthen coping mechanisms in women with breast cancer and help them express often-repressed emotions. The main point of supportive-expressive therapy includes mourning the losses that cancer brings and adapting to a changed body image. Expression in art gives emotions a form and a color instead of just the physical or psychological symptoms. Conclusion: The literature and this case show that art therapy has a lasting effect on a large spectrum of symptoms related to breast cancer and its consequences as well as on self-knowledge and self-realization of the patient. Therefore, art therapy can be used as a highly effective approach to provide breast cancer patients with better quality of life and psychological support while giving them freedom to express themselves and add meaning to their days.