Two men sat on chairs on a stage in front of a screen, which shows images of a photography exhibition.

Using art as a way to heal.

We caught up with local Chorley freelance photographer, Ian Smith, who’s prostate journey has lasted for 20 years, involving many twists and turns. Since 2018, he has used photography as a healing mechanism and created photographic exhibitions to focus and raise the awareness of prostate cancer. 

In Ian’s second project, The Prostate Gap, he photographed individuals from underrepresented communities who were living with prostate cancer; it highlighted the challenges they faced when navigating conversations with loved ones and in the healthcare system.



Tell us more about The Prostate Gap, particularly around the issues or challenges you wanted to highlight when photographing people in the under-represented groups?

As a photographer you are always thinking of a new perspective to offer the audience. Using art, in this instance photography as a vehicle to raise awareness, coupled with the subject matter of prostate cancer in underrepresented groups was an original opportunity.   

The ‘Gap’, in The Prostate Gap refers to the gap of mis-information surrounding prostate cancer within this group; viewed from both sides of the fence, both individual and NHS. Research for the Prostate Gap project revealed a range of situations that I wanted to shine a light on. These included:

  1. Age: Prostate cancer is always assumed to be an ‘Old man’s Disease’. 
  2. Trans Women: Automatically assume that after medication/transitioning it is not possible to develop prostate cancer. 
  3. Black men: Four times more likely to develop prostate cancer. 
  4. Culture: An assumption that being diagnosed with prostate cancer is a penance for a sin committed.   
  5. Hereditary connection 
  6. Gay men: Stigma treatment. 

I met men who were not frank/open with their consultants for fear of being treated differently. Gay men whose partner was of a different culture, meant nothing could be out in the open, anxiety held inside, thus the patient traveled his prostate journey alone. Heterosexual male whose father and grandfather both had prostate cancer. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in his 40’s. Now living a life as a gay man, he encourages his son, (from his heterosexual life) to get regular checks. 

Through conversations, it became clear there was a lack of awareness from medical staff. No specific questions or fact finding of the individual’s sexual orientation – confirming the need for a consistent, holistic approach. 

After carrying my prostate cancer for about 10 years, I thought I knew a bit about the disease, but oh no, no two people’s journeys are the same; the more you listen, the more you learn. 

How have you used art as healing? Has it served as a form of catharsis for you personally? 

It is a well-known fact that art therapy can improve health, wellbeing, reduce anxiety, calm your mental state and develop social interactions, (my wife and I tried it in Manchester, via a Macmillan session, the results are framed on our wall). 

I have often wondered whether my degree work & MA studies, working on projects, filling my diary with contacts & planning shoots, having objectives and targets has been my way of coping with a cancerous prostate. Cathartic just might be a good word to use. At a very low period when the future looked very uncertain and nerves got very strained, and tempers were frayed, I did turn to writing poetry. I still feel that writing ‘things’ down is the first step to a curative solution. Yes, photography has given me a second career, a platform to express myself and an opportunity to motivate others to feel some of the excitement that I feel. 

What advice would you give to someone who has just received a prostate cancer diagnosis, especially in terms of navigating their journey and expressing themselves creatively?

 Share your anxiety. Include your family/friends. It’s good to talk. Personally, I did not utilise prostate cancer support groups. Never felt the need, (stupid assumption on my part). Always take a second pair of eyes and ears to your appointments. Don’t be scared of letting your feelings come through, staff have seen it all before. Talk subjects you thought were taboo. Sex. What happens after? Will I be able to get erections? Will I ejaculate? Look at the increasing success rate of treatments. 40% better now than 10 years ago. Being diagnosed with prostate cancer is not a death sentence.  

Trying to be creative and looking for diversification is a hard call when your mind can’t focus past the next appointment. Let alone trying to think about booking a holiday nine months away. A massive word to understand whilst traveling this road is, acceptance. Once a person accepts and understands exactly what is happening and the options that are open to them, the sooner a healing process starts. For some individuals that is impossible and nothing but worry, fear and trepidation run through their minds. I am sure it must hinder any healing process internally. Face your journey with a positive outlook. You will feel better. 

Learn more about Ian Smith’s photography projects by watching these videos below. 

Prostate Cancer: Every Picture Tells a Story 

The Prostate Gap

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