Text

Arts-in-medicine programs have gained increasing attention for their potential to enhance psychosocial well-being in long-term care. However, evidence regarding their specific effects on oncological patients remains limited. This study aimed to examine the impact of a structured, multimodal art program on satisfaction, stress reduction, coping, perceived support, and overall quality of life in breast cancer patients.

A comprehensive art-in-medicine program was implemented, incorporating art therapy sessions, creative workshops, lectures on art history and techniques, guided visits to art exhibitions, and engagement with art-related literature. Ten breast cancer patients participated in the program and completed individual structured interviews. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted to identify key psychosocial outcomes and patient-reported benefits

Participants reported wide-ranging positive effects. The program promoted emotional relief, relaxation, and distraction from illness-related stressors. Patients described improved coping strategies, enhanced opportunities for self-expression, and greater ease in communicating emotions. Many reported that the artistic process fostered personal reflection, strengthened their sense of identity, and improved their overall emotional well-being. The shared artistic activities also created a supportive communal environment that reduced feelings of isolation. Despite these predominantly positive findings, a small number of participants noted moments of emotional vulnerability during specific art exercises, highlighting the need for sensitive facilitation.

The findings demonstrate that a structured art-in-medicine program can meaningfully enhance emotional well-being, coping capacity, and social connectedness in breast cancer patients. While emotional challenges must be acknowledged and managed appropriately, the study supports the integration of art-based interventions as a valuable complementary component of supportive cancer care.