Patient turns radiotherapy mask into crochet art

A critical care nurse who had cancer treatment has transformed a mask used for her radiotherapy into a crochet artwork.

Juliette Beaumont, from Ramsgate in Kent, had a mask moulded to fit her face for radiotherapy when she was diagnosed with cancer at the base of her tongue.

After wearing the mask for 20 minutes of treatment, five days a week, for seven weeks, the nurse decorated it with flowers she had crocheted to take her mind off the side effects.

"I thought decorating it was a way to make something positive out of it, and I will have it on display at home as a reminder that there is still beauty in the world," she said.

Beaumont learned to crochet during treatment at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital "as a distraction" and to help relax, said the 50-year-old.

The mask was used to keep her strapped to the table during radiotherapy treatment and is covered with holes, where the crochet creations have been attached.

Beaumont, who works at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, said treatment and recovery were "really traumatic but there are things that help".

She said sad music in the room during her first course of treatment "caused me to feel distressed and want to cry" but a support worker told her she could request different music instead.

"After that the wonderful radiographers played Wham! at my request for every session," Beaumont said.

The nurse was diagnosed with cancer in 2025 after finding a lump in her neck, with tests confirming it had spread to her lymph nodes.

She underwent chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy.

"Even though I was expecting the diagnosis after finding the lump, it was still a massive shock," Beaumont said.

Her surgeon told her told her to "go home and eat" before she was unable to, she said, so she "had a lovely few weeks enjoying lots of meals out before my treatment started".

"This has been the worst time of my life," she said, but thanked oncology services staff "for their kindness and compassion" as well as thanking her "wonderful partner John, and my close friends and family, who have been so supportive".

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