According to Sandra Judd (2004), breast cancer is the second-most common type of cancer, causing an increasing number of deaths every year (Sandra Judd, 2004). Indeed, there are many cases of breast cancer diagnosed and even anticipated.  According to the American Cancer Society (2008), an estimated 1.3 million new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in 2007 (American Cancer Society, Retrieved November 23, 2008, from web: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/STT/stt_0.asp). 

Singapore is not exempt from this trend, as statistics from the National Cancer Center Singapore attest.  In 2008, the number of newly diagnosed cases and deaths from breast cancer from 2003-2007 showed that, there were 627 new cases reported from 1968 - 1972 and it rose to 6773 new cases from 2003 to 2007 (Retrieved, October 4, 2008, from http://www.nccs.com. sg/news/2008/articles/081004.htm).

In many cases, if breast cancer is detected early, and treatment is begun immediately, a patient prognosis and survival rate are statistically very good.  Dr. Ho (2008) of the National Cancer Center, Singapore indicated in a 2008 media release that, treatment for early stage breast cancers have very good outcomes and thus early detection would be key to better survival (Retrieved, October 4, 2008, from http://www.nccs.com.sg/news/ 2008/articles/ 081004.htm). 

As with any post-traumatic event, survivors of breast cancer may benefit from mental health treatment to aid in their recovery post-surgery.  Art therapy is garnering increased credibility as a complementary treatment due to its healing potential, one that makes use of a safe and therapeutic environment.  As can be seen in a 2008 Channel News Asia (2008) report, local healthcare institutions in Singapore are augmenting cancer patients regimens with art therapy, in turn increasing the public awareness of this too often misunderstood process of healing (Channel News Asia, Retrieved, February 25, 2008 from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/330927/1/.html).

The focus of this and subsequent studies will help illuminate how, exactly, art therapy aids women diagnosed with breast cancer cope with their illness.  My interest in this subject is of a highly personal nature.  As a child, I remember visiting with a neighbor who had a complete mastectomy to combat her breast cancer.  Her depression was profound, and my heart went out to her.  Later, my father died after a battle with lung cancer.  I was left feeling a passion for helping others suffering from cancer.  And now, it is my intention to study the healing potential of art therapy and empower survivors of breast cancer, giving them the means to cope with their lives and their journey through recovery. 

Given my unique heritage, it is also my intention to study any cultural differences in the approach to art therapy in Singapore.  John Link's (2000) clinical practices reported that women, even from diverse populations, regardless of their background experience[d] similar emotions: shock, denial, panic, and a sense of urgency (Link, 2000, p. 3).  To add to this foundation of research, it is my intent to understand how women in Singapore diagnosed with breast cancer respond to art therapy as a mental health therapy in conjunction with conventional medical treatment. 

There is a distinct need for the medical community to understand how art therapy helps women with breast cancer in their healing journey and to consider using art therapy as psychotherapy treatment.  Link's (2000) study found that a holistic approach was not being considered in conventional Western medical treatment and that there is evidence that the mind and the body are interconnected through a myriad of protein messengers that are continually acted on by hormones and neurotransmitters (Link, 2000, p. 148). The limited evidence illustrates a struggle that art therapy needs to overcome in order to become more widely used in aiding women's recovery from breast cancer.  Furthermore, breast cancer is a complex disease and Judd (2004) has described breast cancer perception in the medical community as heterogeneous disease (Judd, 2004, p. 32).  Once the stigmas attached to art therapy and the misunderstanding or discounting of the term holistic have been lifted through solid evidence of art therapy's proven track record of positive results, then healing on a larger scale can be achieved.  Surgery attends to the body, but art therapy tends to the heart, mind and soul.