Cancer treatment calendar

Hand-drawn cancer treatment calendar made by Jane Matthews for Roger Pebody, London, UK, 2017

Shortly after being diagnosed with throat cancer in his forties, Roger Pebody began six weeks of intensive treatment, including radiotherapy.

Like many people undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancers, Roger was concerned about the side effects of treatment. Radiotherapy to the neck can affect saliva production, making it difficult to eat and drink.

Roger’s friend Jane Matthews produced this hand-drawn treatment calendar, after realising that counting down the days was one way of making the process more bearable. Roger found it particularly helpful towards the end of his treatment, when the side effects were at their most acute.

Playing his own music during radiotherapy sessions, and knowing that treatment for this kind of cancer is often successful, also helped him manage the discomfort.