# Healing Beams: Radiation and Radiotherapy in Novels, Poems, Music, Film, Painting

## TL;DR

This paper explores how radiation therapy is portrayed in art and literature, and how these perceptions affect patients' experiences and treatment outcomes.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a novel perspective by examining radiation therapy through the lens of health humanities and art genres.

## Key findings

- Radiation therapy perceptions influence psychological and medical outcomes.
- Art-based interventions can improve patient communication and reduce anxiety.
- Health humanities offer a new approach to understanding and managing radiation therapy.

## Abstract

The utility of radiation and radiation therapy to treat patients with cancer is determined by more than just biomedical or physical factors: patient perceptions of radiation influence both uptake of and adherence to radiation therapy. Such perceptions have been represented in various genres of art and are identifiable in novels, poems, music, film and paintings. In this paper, we outline how radiation therapy has been represented in novels, poems, music, film and the visual arts. Adopting a narrative review approach, empirical research on patient perceptions of radiation therapy is briefly summarised, as are studies on behavioural interventions to help patients cope with radiation therapy. The potential applicability of music (music therapy), film (photovoice) and painting (art therapy) in patients having to undergo radiation therapy is briefly considered. Key findings pertain to improving psychological responses to radiation therapy (reduction in anxiety, depression, fatigue), medical outcomes (duration and perceived discomfort) and patient—healthcare provider communication. As health humanities is the overarching paradigm for research and clinical work in this domain, the examination of patient experiences of radiation therapy provides a novel and timely field of research and clinical work in radiation therapy and health psychology.

Radiation and radiotherapy are perceived by patients and the general public as mysterious, dangerous and healing. The image of radiation and radiotherapy can be analysed by studying novels, poems, music, film and painting. Our paper reviews how radiation and radiotherapy are perceived by patients, the general public, as reflected in various art genres. Care in radiotherapy may benefit from incorporating these perceptions in medical management of patients required to undergo radiation and radiotherapy.