Tailored Treatments for Cancer

Tales of research, care, and precision oncology in graphic form

Project Overview:

Tailored Treatments for Cancer: Tales of Research and Care is a creative public engagement project exploring the promise and complexity of precision oncology. Co-produced by patients, carers, researchers, and artists, the centrepiece is a graphic novel that illustrates the human stories behind cancer treatment in the post-genomics era—bringing to life the hope, uncertainty and emotional weight of personalised medicine.

Led by Professor Sarah Cunningham-Burley (University of Edinburgh) and Professor Anne Kerr (University of Glasgow), the project combined narrative workshops, co-creation sessions and public events to spark conversations between those experiencing, delivering, and studying novel cancer treatments. The result: a collection of stories and creative outputs that support understanding, reflection and dialogue around precision oncology.

Team:

    • Prof Sarah Cunningham-Burley – University of Edinburgh

    • Prof Anne Kerr – University of Glasgow

    • Stephanie Sinclair – Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society

    • Ravi Thornton – Ziggy’s Wish (creative and delivery partner)

Project Website
Goals & Activities

  • Share the lived experiences of people affected by cancer in the era of precision medicine

  • Explore how people interpret and engage with complex molecular information

  • Reduce barriers to understanding precision oncology, including language and literacy

  • Create inclusive resources that spark empathy and conversation

  • Empower patients and carers to tell their own stories using creative tools

  • Creative workshops involving patients, carers, scientists and artists

  • Co-production of a graphic novel and illustrated short stories

  • A final event bringing together participants to showcase and reflect on the work

  • Public distribution of the graphic novel, both digitally and in print

Project Outputs

Graphic Novel: Tailored Treatments for Cancer

  • A compelling, co-created narrative exploring the realities of targeted cancer treatment and precision medicine.

Short Graphic Stories: Tell Your Story

  • Lived experience vignettes created through story workshops—offering a personal, visual lens on care and treatment.

     

Documentary Film & Ziggy’s Wish Case Study

  • A behind-the-scenes look at the storytelling process and co-creation workshops and a creative partner perspective on the project’s design and delivery.
Downloads & Links
Project Website