How Cancer Survivors Use Art As Therapy
- Throat cancer survivor Val Kilmer, 64, is promoting his artwork, which he sells on his website ValKilmer.com. In his most recent Instagram post, the “Top Gun” star shared an abstract paint in honor of the Lunar New Year. The abstract print is glazed with plexiglass, signed on the front by the beloved actor himself, and on sale for $500.
- Kilmer, who is a great example of how it’s important to do the things you love no matter what challenges we may face, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014; he had a tracheotomy and also underwent chemotherapy to treat his disease. The actor lost his voice to the disease and turned to artwork as a way to express himself.
- Turning to art, such as music, painting, or dancing, may be therapeutic for cancer patients, aiding their recovery. Research involving cancer patients who used art to cope showed they may experience “decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness.”
- In 2020, researchers studied the outcomes of therapeutic artmaking in patients undergoing radiation oncology treatment. Although the research was limited in scope, it found patients reported “decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness” after mindfulness-based art therapy intervention.
In honor of the start of the new year on the lunisolar calendar, Kilmer is wishing “luck and abundance” on others as he promotes his new vibrant painting. It’s impressive to see Kilmer is still letting his creative juices flow and creating vibrant visuals for enjoyment after his 2015 throat cancer diagnosis, which led him to have a tracheotomy and undergo chemotherapy.
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The artwork is labeled on his website as “Abstract Print #1 [Series 6]” and it’s on sale for $500.
Kilmer’s website explains the abstract print is “glazed with plexiglass” and signed on the front by Val Kilmer himself.
The artwork description reads, “12″ x 20″ [VK0255] Edition of 10. This is the first of this new series [Series 6] of limited edition abstract prints.
“These prints glazed with plexiglass, signed on the surface of the plexiglass. There will be four images in this series. Rear mounted cleat for hanging included. Signature will vary from representative image.”
For anyone interested in purchasing this creative abstract, the Kilmer’s website notes the delivery period may take up to two weeks.
It’s admirable that Kilmer has taken the time to create art to commemorate such an important holiday, which is widely celebrated in countries such as China, South Korea, and Vietnam.
Expert Throat Cancer Resources
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According to the National Geographic, “Lunar New Year, often called the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the most important holiday in China and Chinese communities around the world. It is not only celebrate in China. Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore also practice the Lunar New Year holiday.”
Lunar New Year celebrations last for two weeks and are equipped with quality time spent together among family and friends, good food, fireworks, parades and parties.
“For more than 3,000 years, Lunar New Year was just what it sounds like—the beginning of a new year in the Chinese calendar. The historic Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning dates are determined by both the moon (lunar) and the sun (solar). Months begin with every new moon, when the moon is not visible in the night sky,” the National Geographic explains.
“The new year starts on the new moon nearest the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, sometime between January 21 and February 20. China officially adopted the Gregorian calendar, used by the West, in 1912. In the late 20th century, however, the holiday was re-introduced as the ‘Spring Festival.'”
The 2024 Lunar New Year started on February 10 and is the Year of the Dragon, which represents wisdom, power, and good fortune.
“Each year in the Lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 zodiac animals included in the cycle of 12 stations or ‘signs’ along the apparent path of the sun through the cosmos,” History.com states.
“The 12 zodiac animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. In addition to the animals, five elements of earth, water, fire, wood and metal are also mapped onto the traditional lunar calendar. Each year is associated with an animal that corresponds to an element.”
Using Art Therapy to Heal
Val Kilmer resorted to a form of therapy to help cope with the emotions of losing his voice because of his throat cancer.
“With little voice, my creative juices were boiling over and pouring out of me. I started creating again, painting, writing anything I could. I felt the art healing me. I wanted to share this with others, and I started looking for a place to do so,” Kilmer said on his website.
“I found a large studio in Hollywood. A fun sacred space where artists, musicians, muses, collectors, and friends could gather to celebrate creativity – and then the unthinkable, a global pandemic that pushed us all into our homes. You can’t snuff out destiny. The story is far from over…….Enter KAMP KILMER.”
Many cancer patients wrestling with their emotions or adjusting to cancer treatment undergo immense stress. During times like these, resorting to therapy such as music, dancing, painting, and other art forms can be extremely helpful.
In 2020, researchers studied the outcomes of therapeutic art-making in patients undergoing radiation oncology treatment. Although the research was limited in scope, it found patients reported “decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness” after mindfulness-based art therapy intervention.
Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at UCLA Health, told SurvivorNet that emotional health and good quality of life are associated with better survival and better outcomes. Art therapy can influence a cancer patient’s overall emotional health.
“It’s almost Valentines day! What’s your gift plan? Roses that wither away? I have a better idea, let my artwork be your wingman this Valentine’s Day,” wrote in another Instagram post revealing a piece of his artwork reading “LOVE.”
“I hope you LOVE this just as much as I do. Happy VALentine’s Day.”
In another Instagram post featuring his Kilmer’s colorful artwork, the “Batman Forever” actor wrote, “In an attempt to grapple with the mixed emotions I’ve been feeling about what’s going on in the world today, I’ve found solace in the act of creation.
“I’ve just finished a new series of abstract prints that I hope will bring some joy into the world, or at least to your living room walls. Stay resilient my dear companions, Val.”
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It’s glorious to see Kilmer using his artwork as an outlet to evoke happy feelings and put life’s stresses at ease, something many people battling cancer can look up to.
Val Kilmer’s Battle With Throat Cancer
Val Kilmer discovered he had throat cancer in 2015 but chose not to speak publicly about his diagnosis until 2017.
The actor wasn’t considering conventional treatment at first, thinking his Christian Science faith would heal the tumors. But he ultimately agreed to undergo chemotherapy for the sake of his children, Mercedes, 32, and Jack, 28, whom he had with his ex-wife, English actress Joanne Whalley, 62.
Kilmer also underwent a tracheotomy, a surgical procedure that connects the windpipe to a hole in the front of the neck, which greatly impacted his speaking voice.
Thankfully, Kilmer continued acting as “Top Gun: Maverick” filmmakers were able to help give Iceman a voice again thanks to artificial intelligence technology that used samples of him speaking to recreate his signature speech patterns.
And though he originally kept his cancer battle out of the public eye, Kilmer eventually shared more about his journey through interviews, his autobiography “I’m Your Huckleberry,” and his documentary, “Val.”
RELATED: Watch this Inspiring Film About the Impact Art & Music Can Have on the Cancer Journey
“I have been healed of cancer for over four years now, and there has never been any recurrence,” he wrote. “I am so grateful.”
Do What You Love During & After Cancer
During cancer treatment, and also after, it can be hard to focus on anything except your treatment or the challenges that follow a cancer battle. However, Kilmer is the perfect example that it’s important to take a moment and focus on something that makes you genuinely happy.
Do What You Love — Even if Cancer Gets in the Way of Your Dreams
Experts recommend you try to take some time out of your day a few times a week and really enjoy those special pockets of joy.
“We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes,” Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, previously told SurvivorNet.
“So working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment [and] your emotional well-being are important and can impact your survival. If that’s related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities.”
Dr. Dana Chase Encourages Those Facing Cancer to Find Moments of Joy During Treatment
Understanding Throat Cancer
Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer where cancerous cells begin in the throat, voice box or tonsils. Some of the main risk factors for this disease include smoking, drinking alcohol, a diet lacking in fruits or vegetables, acid reflux disease and the human papillomavirus (HPV).
So, one way to decrease the chances of developing the disease is to get the HPV vaccine.
The American Cancer Society recommends that boys and girls get the HPV vaccine between ages 9 and 12. The organization also stresses that teens and young adults through age 26 who are not already vaccinated should get the HPV vaccine as soon as possible.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, “About 85% of people will get an HPV infection in their lifetime. Vaccinating all 11–12-year-olds can protect them long before they are ever exposed. CDC recommends two doses of HPV vaccine for all adolescents at age 11 or 12 years.”
Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, explains the link between throat cancer and HPV in a previous interview with SurvivorNet.
Get the Facts: HPV Can Cause Cancer In Men Too
“There are no screening guidelines to screen for throat cancer, unlike cervical cancer with pap smears. And there are no standard tests to determine if you harbor the (HPV) virus,” Dr. Geiger said.
“However, there is no concern that you’re going to spread this cancer to your partner or to anyone else, because at this point your partner has already been exposed to the virus and likely cleared it.”
There’s no yearly screening for throat cancer, so doctors often discover the disease when a patient sees them with symptoms that may point to it. Some symptoms include:
- A cough
- Changes in your voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Ear pain
- A lump or sore that doesn’t heal
- A sore throat
- Weight loss
It’s important to note, however, that these symptoms are not exclusive to throat cancer. Still, you should always see a doctor if you have any changes to your health.
HPV and Cancer Risk The Basics
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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