Written Portraits is a collection of poems by Di Sherlock drawn from conversations with patients and staff she met during a residency at Charing Cross Hospital’s breast cancer services and Maggie’s West London.

Written Portraits is part of the ‘People Like You’ project on personalisation at Imperial College London, Goldsmiths University of London and Warwick University. Sherlock’s series of 21 poems explores similarities and preferences among people that can be compared to the ways cancers are viewed in personalised medicine.

This event will feature readings of the poems by professional actors. There will also be a panel discussion featuring writer Di Sherlock, breast cancer doctor and poet Gita Ralleigh, and researchers from the ‘People Like You’ project. They will discuss the poetry practice alongside experiences of working and living with cancer. The panel will invite comments and questions from the audience.