GUIDED ART-MAKING IN A CANCER UNIT: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Cancer survival has been increasing, but a diagnosis is still often met with fear, and the treatments can be exhausting. Mental coping strategies and positive resources are essential for treatment-adherence, functional capacity and quality of life. Artmaking is a potentially powerful tool for fostering resilience, but its clinical applications in the context of serious illness are still not well established. In this pilot study, we tested the feasibility of guided art groups in a cancer centre and explored participants’ experiences, with promising outcomes.