Derry charity launching poignant photo exhibition for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A Derry based cancer charity is bringing a poignant photographic exhibition to the city this week as part of its Breast Cancer Awareness Month programme.

‘Seen to be Heard’, by award winning Belfast photographer Jennifer Willis is being hosted by Hive Cancer Support (formerly Pink Ladies Cancer Support Group) and features photographs of 24 women who are living with secondary breast cancer.

Among them is Derry woman Thersea Kelly, who also lost her sister Sarah to secondary breast cancer last August.

Secondary Breast Cancer originates in the breast and spreads to other parts of the body. It cannot be cured, but the aim of treatment is to control symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.

Theresa was drawn to the ‘Seen to be Heard’ project because it highlights the need for better treatment and provision for women with a secondary breast cancer diagnosis.

“Both my sister Sarah and myself were diagnosed with breast cancer within 18 months of each other,” she explained. 

“At the time, we just thought breast cancer was breast cancer and that it could be cured. 

“We didn't know the difference between primary breast cancer and secondary breast cancer.

“In fact we had never heard those terms before, so when Sarah was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and we realised it was incurable it was a complete shock. 

“Various sources told us that treatment could give her a couple of years but we lost her a few short months later, something which changed my life and lives of our family and friends forever.”

Theresa is now living with secondary breast cancer herself and her condition is currently stable.

She has dedicated herself to fundraising for several cancer charities, including Hive Cancer Support, and raising awareness of secondary breast cancer.

“I became involved with Seen To Be Heard to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer through the fantastic people at Hive Cancer Support. 

“Sadly the care, treatment and support offered by the NHS to women in Northern Ireland living with secondary breast cancer is sadly lacking and in many cases, non-existent.  We deserve and demand better.”

Photographer Jennifer Willis began the ‘Seen to be Heard’ project after her good friend Cheryl Graham was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer and asked her to document her journey.

The project grew from there and she went on to photograph 24 women from across Northern Ireland.

“I would describe the exhibition as raw and powerful yet sensitive and revealing,” said Jennifer.

“Because of this, building a trusting relationship with the women before lifting the camera was vital to ensure an authentic and respectful piece of work.

“None of the women bare their bodies for their own sakes, but for those coming after them.

“The exhibition and advocacy around it have already produced tangible change but there is

so much more to achieve.

“There is a real need to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer so that both patients and clinicians are aware of the symptoms of secondary breast cancer and for the adequate provision of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) particularly in Northern Ireland. Currently, there is only one CNS in the whole of the north.”

In addition to the photographs, the exhibition features moving video testimony where the women discuss their lives and their treatment within the health care system.

“We hope that many will visit, view the images and hear their voices,” added Jennifer.

Seen to be Heard launched at the Playhouse on Monday October 2 with a panel discussion from Jennifer, Theresa, and Cheryl and Michelle McLaren, Development Worker at Hive Cancer Support, chaired by Derry based journalist Jeananne Craig.

Michelle urged people to drop in and see the exhibition, which is open until Friday October 6.

“I knew as soon as I saw this ground breaking exhibition that I wanted to bring it to Derry.

“It has changed the way secondary breast cancer is perceived in Northern Ireland and become a platform for people’s voices to be heard.

“We are so proud of Theresa for taking part for raising awareness of secondary breast cancer and the current lack of provision for women living with it.”

The exhibition will be open to the public at the Playhouse, Artillery Street, Derry Tuesday 10am-5pm, Wednesday all day, Thursday all day, Friday 10am-3pm.