By Jane Elliott BBC News Online health staff

Professional artist Michele Petrone uses his talent to help people with cancer.

Eight years ago Mr Petrone was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and since then he has had three relapses.

But, throughout his battle with cancer, Mr Petrone, 39, found comfort from his art and is now keen to share that with others.

He holds regular exhibitions in hospitals throughout the country and is currently exhibiting 'The Emotional Cancer Journey' in Stoke Mandeville and Milton Keynes Hospitals.

Experiences

And he regularly holds talks about the effect art has had on his recovery.

He has also helped set up the MAP Foundation, a charity which helps people affected by illness express their feelings through art.

Their paintings and art work are then used to help educate health professionals and society about illness.

'Cast Out'

In 1996 Mr Petrone held an exhibition of his work, charting his personal journey through cancer. He said this had proved particularly popular with other people battling cancer.

"It was then that I realised, particularly from other patients, who identified with and found solace in these paintings, how important it is to share this particular journey of illness.

"My aim is that this work should inspire and support people in similarly frightening situations, and enlighten and guide others to a different and better understanding.

"I was in the isolation ward waiting for my bone marrow transplant and I noticed that there was a window in the door that needed a picture for it and that was what started me off.

I did a Samson and Delilah picture to indicate my feelings about my hair loss Michele Petrone

"While I was in the hospital I made mobiles out of pill pots and things like that."

Then Mr Petrone, of London, said he started to express his experiences through his art.

"I was feeling cast-out and feeling that my world was being turned upside down.

"I was worried about whether the cancer would be caught in time and having feelings of loss with the loss of my hair and my fertility.

"I did a Samson and Delilah picture to indicate my feelings about my hair loss.

'Life goes on'

"Painting definitely helped me I had never been through anything like this before and I found it very difficult to articulate It was very therapeutic to paint.

"It was a horrendous time, you just don't know whether you are going to live or die; you lose your hair and you become all bloated with steroids.

"It is very upsetting."

Mr Petrone said that while in hospital he had painted on small canvases, but when he came home to recuperate he painted on a larger scale.

Mr Petrone can be contacted by email at: [email protected].