Not many people know it, but October is also National Arts and Humanities Month. And today is Pablo Picasso’s birthday, National Fine Art Appreciation Day, and International Artist Day. So, being an artist, I thought I’d share this.
Think about it the next time a politician asks for a donation.
Ever since I created my germline mutation infographic (see this post),
I have been asked to create something about somatic mutations.
Okay, sure, no problem; that’s an easy task.
Not really.
How do you illustrate the process of mitosis as a cell divides and copies all its genetic information so that each resulting daughter cell ends up with the same complete genome? And also try to explain in simple terms how sometimes an error in the replication of the billions of nucleotides in the DNA can happen, and it can be either benign or can lead to diseases such as cancer. And then try to explain germline mutations, which are something entirely different. And how do you do it so that just about anybody can understand it?
I used to really enjoy doing this type of artwork as a professional illustrator for numerous children’s science magazines and other publications. But now I do it because it might save a life or two. And I do it as a hereditary cancer advocate, but with a heavy heart. I’m a widower because a handful of individuals didn’t have a clue about genetics and didn’t share what would have been life-saving information.
I want to thank a certified genetic counselor, for reviewing my graphic and making suggestions to help make sure it made sense.
Like all my previous hereditary cancer-related infographics, it can be viewed and downloaded at www.MARKiX.net/genes.
Please share. Knowledge is power.
To learn more about hereditary cancer and the mutations associated with it, go to FORCE - www.FacingOurRisk.org
#SomaticMutations #GermlineMutations #HereditaryCancer
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month last year, I wrote an article and created a cartoon for Cure Today. The response to it really surprised me.
Titled, “Thoughts on Breast Cancer Awareness Month: the Disease Is No ‘Stroll Through the Park,” it was not a put-down of the cancer survivors, thrivers, previvors, and caregivers who chose to participate in these walks. Rather, it was about the truly awful things and horrific facts about breast cancer you rarely see or hear about at these events. It was the view of Breast Cancer Awareness Month events from my perspective as an exhausted, frightened, and heartbroken caregiver sitting in a cancer treatment center with the love of my life and facing the cruel reality of her stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis.
The story is here: https://www.curetoday.com/view/thoughts-on-breast-cancer-awareness-month-the-disease-is-no-stroll-through-the-park-
Cure Today's Facebook post is here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=543070477825349&set=a.404816141650784