Cancer diagnoses are far too common. There were north of 1.95 million new cancer cases and more than 609,000 cancer fatalities in 2023, according to the National Institutes of Health.

After someone learns they have cancer, the news is life-changing. The good news is not all cancer cases are necessarily terminal since some cancers are easier to treat than others. So, depending on the type of cancer, how early it is diagnosed, and the treatment method, patients could beat cancer and go on to live long and productive lives.

However, some cancers are more severe than others. They’re rare, aggressive, and incurable. One of them is mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdomen and chest. Depending on the source, there are around 3,000 new mesothelioma diagnoses in the U.S. annually.

Most cases of the cancer are caused by previous exposure to asbestos. High levels of exposure increase health risks for cancer and other serious complications. Unfortunately, certain occupations, such as construction, shipbuilding, and the military, exposed people to asbestos.

Meanwhile, products used for building homes in the past can also expose people to asbestos since it was used to make tiles, insulation, and other things.

It can take decades for symptoms from exposure to rear their ugly heads, and the symptoms are often undetected until the cancer is at an advanced stage.

Whether diagnosed with mesothelioma or another type of cancer, you’ll need to work with your doctor and other healthcare professionals to come up with the best treatment plan. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are some of the treatment options.

In addition to focusing on the physical, you should concentrate on the mental. That’s where art therapy comes into the picture. According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is designed to help people through "active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience with a psychotherapeutic relationship."

A skilled art therapist can help participants develop emotional resilience, social skills, self-esteem, self-awareness, and more. Art therapy is designed to engage people's bodies, minds, and souls so it can complement whatever medical care patients receive.

Here are some benefits of art therapy when dealing with a serious health diagnosis.

It’ll Help People Deal With a Crisis Situation

After a serious health scare like a cancer diagnosis, art therapy can be a godsend. No one knows how they'll deal with such bad news. It can derail whatever plans they have for their life as they prepare to deal with a situation of life and death importance.

Dealing with a range of emotions like grief, trauma, and helplessness is normal after a cancer diagnosis. What people don't want to do is wallow in negativity, even if the prospects for recovery aren't as rosy as hoped for. Art therapy can meet people where they are in a time of crisis and help them navigate their way to acceptance and determination to beat the odds.

It’ll Give People a Sense of Control

People who take art therapy can feel more in control, even when their long-term prospects are up in the air. The mesothelioma survival rate is usually in the range of four to 19 months post-diagnosis. However, some patients have lived north of a decade after diagnosis.

There’s no denying that the exceptionally short life expectancy for mesothelioma patients can leave them feeling powerless over their destinies. However, art therapy can give patients a new lease on life. It can also help as they work with their healthcare providers toward the best possible outcome.

While art therapy won’t directly cure or treat a serious ailment like cancer, it can help patients mentally and psychologically. It can be part of a multi-pronged wellness regime when dealing with a serious condition.