More than my NHS number
A portrait project about Black men, prostate cancer, and what we leave behind
"My diagnosis is tied to my NHS number. My treatment is tied to my NHS number. But no record can ever contain who I am, the people I love, the life I've built, or the legacy I hope to leave behind." - Shaun Connell
I am developing a new photographic body of work titled More than my NHS number.
The project explores the lives of Black men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. It begins with a simple belief: no diagnosis can fully describe a person.
As patients, we are known through numbers, appointments, scans and medical records. Those things matter. They save lives. But they cannot tell the story of who we are, the people we love, the lives we have built, or the legacy we hope to leave.
Through a series of intimate portraits and first person reflections, More than my NHS number seeks to create a lasting record of Black men's lives beyond their diagnosis.
Each participant will be photographed in a place that has shaped their life, whether that is their home, workplace, place of worship, neighbourhood, or another location that holds personal meaning.
Alongside each portrait will be a short reflection in the participant's own words, exploring identity, family, faith, work, ageing, memory, love, fear and hope. Prostate cancer is part of these stories, but it is not the whole story.
At its heart, this project asks three questions.
- Who are you?
- What have you inherited?
- What will you leave behind?
Why I'm making this project
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2025.
Like many men, I quickly became known through appointments, test results, scans and treatments. Those things have been an important part of my journey, but they have never defined who I am.
As a photographer, I believe every photograph is a decision about what future generations inherit. As someone living with prostate cancer, I want to create a body of work that records not only the reality of this disease, but also the lives, identities and legacies of the Black men living with it.
More than my NHS number is, in part, my own response to that diagnosis. More importantly, it is an opportunity for Black men to tell their stories in their own words and be seen as whole people whose lives cannot be reduced to a diagnosis.
Who I'm looking for
I am inviting Black men who:
- are aged 45 or over
- have been diagnosed with prostate cancer
- are willing to be photographed and share part of their story
No previous experience of being photographed is needed.
What taking part involves
If you decide to take part, we will begin with a conversation.
We'll talk about your life, your experiences and what matters most to you. From that conversation, I will create a portrait in a place that is meaningful to you and work with you to develop a short first person reflection to accompany the photograph.
The process is collaborative, respectful and unhurried. You decide what parts of your story you want to tell. Before anything is published or exhibited, you will have the opportunity to review both your portrait and your reflection. We'll discuss any concerns you may have and make sure you are comfortable with how you and your story are being presented.
Why this project matters
Black men in the UK face a significantly higher lifetime risk of prostate cancer than other men. While much has been written about the statistics, far less has been recorded about the lives behind them.
More than my NHS number seeks to contribute to a richer visual record of Black British life by recognising men not simply as patients, but as fathers, sons, partners, friends, workers, mentors and members of their communities.
Every photograph is a decision about what future generations inherit, and I hope this project becomes part of that inheritance.
Interested?
If this project resonates with you, or if you'd simply like to have a conversation before deciding whether to take part, please email me at shaunconnellphoto@gmail.com.
I'd be pleased to tell you more about the project and answer any questions you may have.
A personal note
I had few symptoms when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
If you're Black, over 45, or have a family history of the disease, please don't wait for symptoms to appear. Take 30 seconds to answer four simple questions using Prostate Cancer UK's free Risk Checker.
