Portraits of 16 women living with secondary breast cancer form a powerful photography exhibition as part of a campaign calling for an improvement to cancer services in Northern Ireland.

According to Cancer Research UK, secondary breast cancer – also known as metastatic breast cancer – means that a breast cancer has spread to another part of the body. Secondary breast cancer can no longer be cured.

In the ‘Seen to be Heard’ exhibition, talented photographer Jennifer Willis has captured raw and emotional portraits of 16 women as they bare the scars of living with secondary breast cancer.

Initially strangers, these women are now friends united in their passion and purpose in seeking to be seen and heard to effect change in cancer care services and treatment of those diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.

On Wednesday, March 16, the group of women, accompanied by Jennifer, presented their ‘Seen to be Heard’ campaign manifesto to the chairperson and members of the Health Committee and elected representatives at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

With the campaign, the group are advocating that everyone affected by secondary breast cancer in Northern Ireland should:

• Be included in a clinical audit of secondary breast cancer;

• Be supported for assessments and access to clinical trials currently available in the UK;

• Have access to the same range of drugs and treatments available in other regions of the UK;

• Have access to specialist nurses with expertise in secondary breast cancer across all five health care trusts in Northern Ireland; and

• Have access to quality, timely, equitable and person-centred care.

Enniskillen-based creative adviser, artist, curator, arts and human rights activist Noelle McAlinden – herself a cancer survivor (see panel, right) – stood in solidarity with these women, showing her support for the campaign.

She said: “It was a privilege to help facilitate the return to Stormont and to support these ladies in delivering their message and their manifesto so thatthey are seen and heard.

“It was an opportunity to introduce Jennifer and her presentation.

“Her dedication and commitment, as well as compassion, has been the catalyst for ongoing advocacy and that has evolved from her moving, inspiring and arresting images in her upcoming solo exhibition which will feature on April 28 at Belfast Exposed,” added Noelle, who is curating and facilitating Jennifer’s solo photography exhibition, which includes 32 portraits of the 16 women.

Presentation

During the presentation at Stormont, three of the 16 women featured in the exhibition, Cheryl Graham, Helen McHarvey and Julie A. Lillis, participated as spokeswomen on behalf of the group.

In the group’s manifesto, it explains that ‘Seen to be Heard’ is an invitation, a provocation, a call to action to effect change in the provision of services available to those living with incurable secondary breast cancer.

“We are a group of women living with the life-limiting disease, secondary breast cancer,” a spokeswoman for the group said. “We are united with purpose and passion to advocate for improved services, specifically for those living with secondary breast cancer, which do not currently exist in Northern Ireland.

“The Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy 2021-2031 states a resolve to provide ‘equitable and timely access to the most effective, evidence-based referral, diagnosis, treatment, support and person-centred cancer care’.

“However, our patient voice for secondary breast cancer services is not present in [the] Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland.”

Speaking about attending Stormont, Noelle said: “It was a day of powerful emotions, pride, laughter, fear, tears, anxiety, celebration, frustration and dignity. Women supporting women living with secondary breast cancer, standing in solidarity at Stormont.

“’Seen to be Heard’ is not just an exhibition, but an invitation, a provocation, a call to action for improved cancer services and support for those living with a secondary breast cancer diagnosis, delivered with compassion across Northern Ireland.

“It is a plea, an ultimatum to the Health Minister and to the Department of Health and to our elected representatives.”

Fermanagh woman’s support

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Enniskillen woman Noelle McAlinden talked about her own personal cancer journey, and her passion for supporting the call for improved cancer services to support women in Fermanagh and all across Northern Ireland.

“As I reflect on these ladies, I have realised that it’s been six years this week since my own surgery for cervical cancer. I take nothing for granted; I am not naive.

“Like many, I have have lost family and friends, and I’m conscious that there are so many others who are living with cancer and are facing challenges in accessing treatment, services and support – it is heartbreaking.

“It’s been a privilege in getting to know Jennifer Willis, a gifted photographer and compassionate friend.

“Supporting her in her upcoming solo exhibition and getting to know these ladies has been both a privilege, enlightening but also heartbreaking with what they have gone through.

“It makes me even more determined. We need a health service and a cancer strategy that is fit for purpose, delivered with compassion and empathy.

“This has been the most significant life-affirming experience, exhibition, arts advocacy and activism that I have ever been involved with, to date.

“I am very grateful to Jennifer and to all of these ladies and to Julia Darcy for introducing me to Jennifer, one of life’s guardians.”

The photographer’s view

Award-winning and multi-talented photographer Jennifer Willis, who is on the Council of the Irish Photographic Federation, was keen to help support the project in a bid to help other women, as she explains. “I have 15 friends who have terminal/secondary breast cancer. The idea was to raise awareness and to capture the awful price through the lens that they pay both physically and emotionally for their life-extending treatment.

“It is likely too late for any of these women to benefit, except in the knowledge that they will see that by baring their bodies, that there is no excuse for any young woman coming after them to have to experience what they have in the health care system.”

Donating and support

If you are living with secondary breast cancer and require support, visit Macmillan Cancer Support at www.macmillan.org.uk. There are also many local charities that provide support for those living with a cancer diagnosis, including SWELL (Supported We Live Life), and Cancer Connect NI.

If you would like to support the ‘Seen to be Heard’ campaign and exhibition, giving voice to NI women with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer, you can do so via the JustGiving page hosted by Jennifer Willis, at https://tinyurl.com/2p8m3bn5.