“Based on a true story” podcast: a journey into the world of young patients with cancer

Abstract

This article describes a creative project undertaken by a group of adolescent and young adult patients with cancer as part of the Milan’s Youth Project, a scheme dedicated to young patients with cancer with the dual aim of optimizing medical aspects of their care and promoting a holistic approach to their needs. The project was based on audio recordings and focused on the theme of “the journey,” such as a holiday or an adventure, or as a metaphor of the cancer experience. The podcast installments were published on the main streaming platforms. Talking about their disease and how they feel is of importance for young patients to process their feelings surrounding the cancer experience and to find the inner resources they need to facilitate coping.

“As if by magic”: Young cancer patients become magician's apprentices, finding magic in their lives again during their hospital treatments

“…A distinctive feature of the Youth Project has always been to offer young patients a chance to engage in creative and artistic activities as a novel means of self‐expression. Over the years, the projects developed have variously focused on music, photography, fashion, novel writing, and video productions 2–13 …”

Get up, stand up: Alongside adolescents and young adults with cancer for their right to be forgotten

“…These activities give patients novel means of expression, and make it easier for medical staff to access their AYA patients’ world, adding to the more conventional forms of psychosocial support generally provided. 27 -30…”

Of soldiers and heroes

“…Various publications have described how adolescents with cancer tell their stories in creative projects developed within the Milan Youth Project. 1-7 This letter gives us a chance to share what we learnt from the words of one of our young patients.…”