Royal Cheers for Radiographers' Superhero Masks Brightening Cancer Care

At Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, two radiographers have found a creative way to help young patients feel less anxious about their cancer treatment. Abigail Williamson and Eve Tomlinson, who both work at the hospital, began painting radiotherapy masks during their breaks. These masks are used for children who need radiotherapy for neck and head tumours. The masks are usually plain and white, which can make them look intimidating to children. To make the experience less scary, Abigail and Eve decided to decorate the masks with fun and familiar characters.

One of their most popular designs is a Spider-Man mask. It is painted bright red with a black spiderweb pattern, just like the superhero’s costume. Another mask features Salacious B Crumb, a character from Star Wars, painted in green with two brown ears. The radiographers have also created masks that look like unicorns and Pokémon characters, such as Charmander. These designs were suggested by hospital play specialists, who work with children to make their hospital visits more comfortable.

The Spider-Man mask was recently displayed at a special reception at St James's Palace in London. The event was attended by King Charles III and Queen Camilla and was held to mark 125 years of Cancer Research UK. Abigail and Eve said they were excited and proud to have their work shown at the palace. Abigail explained that the artwork is not just about making the masks look nice, but also about helping children feel brave. She said, 'We are showcasing the bravery of our young patients, since they are the real superheroes in our books. ' The hospital also uses sticker charts to help children count down their treatments, making the process more manageable. Some of the decorated masks are taken to schools to help explain how radiotherapy works, making the treatment less mysterious and scary for children. The radiographers hope their creative approach will continue to support young patients and highlight the importance of lifesaving cancer treatments.