Snapshots of future moments patients with incurable breast cancer hope to see have been captured using artificial intelligence in a powerful exhibition from charity Breast Cancer Now.
Ten patients took part in the project to highlight the importance of research into new and better treatments for the disease, posing for portraits and then sharing their dream scenarios.
The stunning images generated include Nina Lopes walking among the cherry blossom trees in spring 2025 with her daughter Ilana, both clad in traditional outfits.
Meanwhile, David McCallion represents the 350 UK men diagnosed with breast cancer every year. His picture shows him marking his late mother’s birthday in Lourdes in France, “peacefully watching the pilgrimage and re-connecting with family members who have passed away.”
And the AI has drawn Michelle Lassiter riding a route master bus with her family on her 75th birthday, singing along to her favourite song – Sir Cliff Richard’s Summer Holiday.
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All of those featured have incurable secondary breast cancer, meaning tumour cells have spread to other parts of their body.
Around 61,000 people are living with secondary breast cancer in the UK and although it cannot be cured, the condition can be kept at bay – often for years – with treatments.
Michelle, 73, told the Daily Express she wanted the exhibition to convey a feeling of hope.
She said: “Whenever anybody mentions secondaries or metastatic cancer, immediately there’s a sharp intake of breath and this perception that you’re not going to live for very long.
“I want to tell everybody: ‘No, that’s not the case.’ I am here three years on, still fighting and positive, still living my life.
“There are good days and not so good days, but you have to take each day as it comes. It’s an awful diagnosis, there’s no question. But you can live with cancer, quite happily so.”
Breast Cancer Now currently funds more than £5.3 million worth of research to improve treatments, care, and services for people affected by secondary breast cancer.
Michelle was first diagnosed with breast cancer 18 years ago and treated with gruelling chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.
But she was devastated when her cancer returned a few years ago, and tests showed it had spread around her body.
The great-grandmother-of-four added: “It’s important to give people more time. I’ve got children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and I don’t want them to get this.
“But if they do, I want the new and kinder treatments to be there so they can live their lives.”
The original portraits were captured by renowned photographer Jillian Edelstein, who has previously worked with big names including Nelson Mandela, the Princess of Wales and Kate Moss.
The ‘Gallery of Hope’ is open to the public in Gallery 3 at London’s Saatchi Gallery on Wednesday March 13 and Thursday March 14.
