Digital Storytelling Group for Pre-menopausal women with breast cancer (2024-2025)
Digital Storytelling Group for Pre-menopausal women with breast cancer:
A pilot project to evaluate the therapeutic potential
Digital Storytelling Intervention Study for all Albertans with Pre-menopausal Breast Cancer
This project provides women with pre-menopausal breast cancer guidance and support to create a short personal video (a digital story) within a supportive group setting.
Creating your own digital story
The process involves combining photographs, music, and personal narrative in a three- to five-minute video to create a personal story. This is called a digital story. As part of this study, digital stories will be used as a way to represent and express your experiences with breast cancer and treatment in the premenopausal life stage.
What to Expect:
Participants will meet virtually once per week (up to two hours per session) for six weeks using the University of Calgary’s Zoom platform.
During sessions, participants will: 1) share their story ideas; 2) write and record their own stories; 3) choose personal and free stock photographs to include in their stories; 4) combine photographs, music clips, and persona narrative together in a short video. During the final session, participants will have an opportunity to share and celebrate their stories.
Technical or computer skills are not required. Facilitators will work with and support participants through the entire process. However, participants will make the final decisions on their own personal stories.
Clinicians:
To refer a patient:
- Provide your patient with a copy of the DST pamphlet.
- Contact us using our online form.
- Contact us by email using the information below.
For more information, please contact:
- Jessame Gamboa (project coordinator): Jessame.Gamboa@albertahealthservices.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any further questions that are not covered here, please feel free to contact Jessame Gamboa, the DST project coordinator, at Jessame.Gamboa@albertahealthservices.ca
Individuals who are pre-menopausal at the time of diagnosis, have been diagnosed with breast cancer, are currently undergoing or have completed curative-intent treatment (within up to 1 year post-treatment), are fluent in English, and fall within the age range of 18 to 50 years old
Technical or computer skills are not required. Group facilitators will work with and support participants through the entire process.
The DST Study
More information on the DST Group Intervention Study for clinicians and academics.
The DST Team
Learn more about the DST team.
Referrals
Contact us if you are interested in learning more, or if you are a service provider who would like to refer a patient.