‘The Prostate Gap’ photography exhibition
By Reece Delaney
We’re delighted to be working with photographer Ian Smith to host a moving photography exhibition which features the experiences of prostate cancer patients in under-represented groups in our society.
From Friday 6 January 2023 to Friday 10th February 2023, members of the public, healthcare professionals and cancer researchers are invited to attend this free exhibition on display in The Oglesby Cancer Research Centre main foyer, a state-of-the art laboratory facility in Manchester housing scientists from the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute and Division of Cancer Sciences.
The exhibit spotlights a selection of prostate cancer patients from Black and LGBTQIA+ communities who have courageously shared their experiences of the barriers and cultural obstacles they’ve experienced on their prostate cancer journeys.
“I made this work in the hope it will help to change public attitudes towards under-represented people in our society and through the subjects’ stories offer hope and inspiration to all people with prostate cancer.”
– Ian Smith, photographer
As part of his research for the project, photographer Ian Smith, himself diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010, met with and listened to a wide range of people at support groups for trans women, gay people, and under-represented communities across Greater Manchester and used the power of photography to tell their stories.
Ian hopes the new exhibit will challenge the public’s understanding of prostate cancer and highlight how the disease not only affects minority groups but causes them unnecessary burdens, from seeking initial prostate cancer screenings through to receiving treatment and aftercare.
Smith said, “I made this work in the hope it will help to change public attitudes towards under-represented people in our society and through the subjects’ stories offer hope and inspiration to all people with prostate cancer.”
We’re very excited to have this exhibit in the Oglesby Cancer Research Centre, reminding us all of the personal lives affected by cancer.
Professor Robert Bristow
Director of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre
Professor Robert Bristow, Director of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre and a world-renown prostate cancer researcher said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancers in people with a prostate with over 52,000 diagnoses taking place every year.”
“As a prostate cancer researcher myself, I know first-hand the impact this cancer can have on people from all communities. There are many questions that still need to be answered and new research that is needed in early detection and treatments to help improve the outcomes and lives of everyone affected by this cancer.
“We’re very excited to have this exhibit in the Oglesby Cancer Research Centre, reminding us all of the personal lives affected by cancer.”
ABOUT IAN SMITH
Ian Smith was born in 1948 in Manchester. Following his prostate cancer diagnosis in 2010, Ian decided to enrol in a Photography BA degree at the University of Bolton, going on to graduate with a First Class. Ian has become an ‘activist with his camera’ and campaigns for people to have greater awareness of prostate cancer. His personal mission is to help reduce the misinformation, anxiety and fear surrounding the disease.
Smith’s latest project ‘The Prostate Gap’ has just finished a three-month display at Manchester Central Library. It was inspired by the reaction to Smith’s earlier photographic work, ‘Prostate Cancer: Every Picture Tells a Story’, which focused on men diagnosed and treated with the disease and was exhibited in hospitals around England.
In September 2021, Smith started his Master’s in Photography at the University of Bolton. Smith has also recently started campaigning for greater awareness of Dementia.
Ian’s work can be viewed on his website at: www.iansmithphoto.com
