Photo exhibit by cancer survivors and caregivers showcases lessons of cancer
(Cleveland, Ohio) – Each photo tells a story. Bernadette’s photo of tomatoes on a vine, representing the type of foods she added to her diet after her cancer diagnosis to bolster her immunity. Ceaira’s photo of an upside down house, representing what cancer did to her life in taking the life of her fiancé. Elkanah’s photo of a graveyard representing lost relatives and the need for families to more openly discuss health issues to save future generations. These photos and dozens of others will be on display at MetroHealth Medical Center on Wednesday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Rammelkamp Atrium.
The photography exhibit is part of a unique study led by MetroHealth’s Center for Reducing Health Disparities in which African American cancer patients and caregivers share lessons learned from their personal cancer triumphs and tragedies through photos and short essays. The project, done in partnership with the Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services, Inc. (NEON) and funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, focused on inner city, low-income African Americans facing cancer, since it is a population with disproportionately high cancer mortality rates – especially in Cleveland.
“African Americans in Cleveland and elsewhere are being diagnosed with cancer at an increasing rate and therefore it is critical that we understand what the multiple needs are to assist survivors and their families,” said Maghboeba Mosavel, Ph.D., director of community-based research at MetroHealth’s Center for Reducing Health Disparities and assistant professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University. “The hope with this project was to give these patients and their family members a voice that will be heard by health care providers and the community as a whole and will help us to develop programs and services that can address those needs.”
Dr. Mosavel says this study is one of the first needs assessments and photo exhibits focused entirely on the African American cancer patient and caregiver. The needs the study identified were related to relationships with health care professionals; support of family and friends; appearance and sense of self; work-related issues; spirituality and faith; and resources and support services.
Meia Jones is the project’s coordinator. As an African American cancer survivor and a professional photographer, she brought a special perspective to the project. “What we all learned from the project was that everyone must be each other’s support. We realized we need more resources in the community and so several participants have now become advocates in their neighborhoods. It’s been a very rewarding project to be a part of.”
"NEON's focus has always been to serve the underserved in our community," said Kim Sanders, program director at NEON. "Participating in this study allowed us to see some unmet needs of African American cancer patients and their caregivers through a unique lens. We look forward to taking what was learned and continuing our partnership with MetroHealth to continue to highlight the needs of all cancer survivors and their families."
To further spread the study’s message, the research team has produced a video summarizing the cancer experience of African Americans in Cleveland, which will be distributed to schools, community organizations, and churches in Cleveland’s African American neighborhoods.
