CAN HISTORY'S MOST INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN WARRIOR JOAN OF ARC SERVE AS AN ENDURING MODEL OF EMPOWERMENT FOR WOMEN WITH A CANCER DIAGNOSIS

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Objective. Although there are many different research studies that have proven that arts-based medicine is a viable and effective medical strategy to help people with cancer improve quality of life—there is little documentation that uses arts-based strategies from a historical narrative to help improve quality of life. This research study delved deep to find out how the use of arts-based medicine would affect (or not) women with cancer. Background. The author, a trained creative arts therapist, wrote a book called "If Joan of Arc Had Cancer: Finding Courage, Faith and Healing from History's Most Inspirational Woman Warrior" to help inspire women to seize and resurrect their own internal courage while traveling their journey with cancer. The book is based on the courageous journey of Joan of Arc's life and includes meditations; arts based therapies, narrative medicine and active instructions to help women resurrect their personal strengths and inner wisdom. Methods. The author contacted Gilda's Club in Ft. Lauderdale, one of the satellite programs sponsored by the Wellness Community, to offer a free 6 week seminar for women with cancer using excerpts from the book concentrating on particular themes that would offer the participants the opportunity to reach deep inside themselves for self-reflection and internal power. The sessions included curricula that addressed themes of valor, patience, surrender, prayer and support and ended with participants creating their own power shields through art and guided visualization exercises. IRB was obtained and all participants were told that they would be involved in a 6 week research study. Results. This study, conducted with a small yet representative group of women cancer survivors, showed that the use of arts-based medicine in general is effective and most particularly the use of Joan of Arc as a model for empowerment is particularly effective. Survivors indicated that they showed less anxiety and fear and noted that they had an improved quality of life and felt more empowered. Conclusion. The interaction of arts-based medicine that is cross-disciplinary and includes narrative, art creation in tandem with guided visualizations is a potent medical protocol that can be used with people with cancer to improve quality of life. Grants. No grants given.