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Devised by Joanna Callaghan, an artist filmmaker and a Professor of Filmmaking at the University of Sussex, Goodbye Breasts! is an inspiring artistic exploration of breast cancer and the path to recovery.

The project aims to:

  • Empower women and girls to talk about breast health by creating spaces outside of clinical frameworks in which conversations can be had
  • Raise awareness of early detection of breast cancer through breast checking and screening
  • Increase knowledge of faulty genes in people who carry them, the general public and medical professionals
  • Highlight the role of arts and creativity in health and wellbeing

It brings people of all ages and backgrounds into the conversation, providing alternative ways to listen and hear from those affected by the issues, through exhibitions, a documentary, short films, workshops, creative writing, talks, events and social media.

The exhibition

“Made me feel very positive about all the amazing things that can come out of the monstrosity that is cancer!” - Exhibition visitor

During the touring exhibition, visitors explore a 9m inflatable breast installation accompanied by an audio-soundscape. Visitors can enter the Big Breast itself, where they will encounter the wonderous world of breast anatomy and listen to a soundscape of stories from people affected by the issues, alongside an explanation of what they are seeing. After their visit to the Big Breast, short film screenings are available, including an extract from Joanna’s documentary and an imaginative journey into the body following a breast cancer diagnosis.

You can view ‘My Fantastic Voyage’ by Heraclitus Pictures here.

The Reflection Zone is a space that facilitates conversations and interactions. In the reflection zone, visitors can discover a wealth of resources, engaging activities, and additional information, as well as contribute their own thoughts and reflections on the ‘My Breasts, My Story’ wall.

Evaluation of the exhibition found that:

  • 80% of visitors gained a better understanding of the importance of talking about breast health.
  • 61% of visitors felt more likely to initiate a conversation with family or friends about breast health
  • 86% of visitors gained a better understanding of the value of the arts in health and wellbeing.
  • 55% of visitors said they were more likely to engage in a creative activity to support their health and well-being.

Associated events and activities

Goodbye Breasts! collaborated with Project Female, a Brighton-based dance company, and worked with women who had undergone mastectomy to devise a dance based on post-surgery exercises. The Boob Boob Dance was then taught to young dancers and performed for the music video, Meet Me On The Dance Floor - a catchy pop song that tells the story of having breast cancer and a mastectomy. A dance tutorial was created for TikTok and people were encouraged to learn, record and share their dance, joining in the conversation.

A range of events ran alongside the exhibition, including Artist’s Talks, Round Tables and creative workshops in writing or dance. 

Impact

Breast Cancer survival has doubled in the last 50 years in the UK, and 1 in 7 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Goodbye Breasts! is a creative intervention in alignment with the Women’s Health Strategy which prioritises better breast education for women and girls, early screening options for faulty gene carriers and personalised pathways for care and recovery. The strategy focuses on improving health outcomes for women throughout their lifetime, recognising the role of women’s voices in the development and implementation of healthcare policies and services.

Goodbye Breasts! uses a creative health approach to raise awareness and open up conversations about breast cancer in a non-clinical space. It also highlights the importance of creative approaches in both supporting people through treatment and recovery and in the expression and communication of the lived experience of breast cancer. This could also form an important part of staff training, improving clinician understanding of the patient experience.

“The emotional impact of a breast cancer diagnosis in patients is not always fully recognised or addressed in the course of current therapeutic interactions with clinical practitioners… this project could help to provide space for that support, especially for those patients who find the arts to be a natural channel of dealing with the trauma of diagnosis and treatment.” - Professor Malcolm Reed, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, NHS Consultant

Goodbye Breasts! ran in Breast Cancer Awareness Week 2023, at the Dance Space in Brighton.

Find out more about the exhibition and future events here - https://www.goodbyebreasts.com/

Photo Credit: The Big Breast - Amy Gwatkins © Heraclitus Pictures
Photo Credit: The Big Breast - Amy Gwatkins © Heraclitus Pictures

National Picturehouse Tour 2026

Following a double mastectomy, Goodbye Breasts! chronicles Callaghan as she embarks on a self-recovery like no other. Armed with a radically inventive spirit, she tackles her journey with remarkable tools: from building a giant inflatable breast to choreographing post-surgery dance routines and hosting a “Goodbye Breasts!” party in honour of her body’s transformation. The documentary interweaves her candid self-shot footage, animations, and archival clips to tell a story that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable.

With a fresh perspective on survivorship, Goodbye Breasts! shines a spotlight on the resilience of the human spirit and the ways in which creativity can heal. From reconnecting with family to meeting others with similar experiences and reclaiming her own story, Callaghan demonstrates the transformative power of humour and art in recovery. The documentary also opens a broader conversation on body acceptance, healing, and community—a message that is sure to inspire audiences worldwide.

The film’s unique approach to a sensitive subject has already drawn attention from film festivals, including the Cinecity Brighton Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award, the International Red Cross Festival of Health Films, and won an award at the Iris Global Health Film Festival.  The documentary promises to captivate audiences with its mix of sincerity, wit, and emotional depth. Goodbye Breasts! is a testament to the joy and resilience found in the most unexpected corners of recovery, encouraging viewers to look beyond traditional narratives and embrace a multifaceted approach to healing.

The tour includes post-screening Q&A with medical experts:

  • Richard Simcock, Chief Medical Officer, Macmillan Cancer Support and Consultant Oncologist
  • Simon Pain, Consultant Breast surgeon, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
  • Marc Tischkowitz, Professor and Honorary NHS Consultant in the Department of Medical Genetics at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
  • Toral Gathani, Associate Professor, Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Oxford University, Consultant Breast Surgeon, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Professor Mark Beresford, Consultant Oncologist, Royal United Hospital Bath

Find out more about the screenings here >> https://www.goodbyebreasts.com/documentary