Rosalind Franklin, DNA Discoveries in Science and Art

Rosalind Franklin, was the scientist who made the first clear X-ray images of the structure of DNA. Artists Wyllie O Hagan discovered Franklin's work on DNA whilst working in an Artist Residency in a Cancer Research UK laboratory in London Franklin's X-ray picture 'Photo 51' informed Crick and Watson of DNA's double helix structure. They received the Nobel Prize, her contribution was unacknowledged. Franklin died of ovarian cancer in 1958, aged 37. O Hagan, an ovarian cancer survivor, received diagnosis and treatment of the disease whilst working on the Franklin project. The artists use their art to support awareness raising missions for ovarian cancer. Wyllie O Hagan's art on Franklin was exhibited in The Smith Killien Gallery, in Charleston, SC, USA from 6-8th September 2007. It was hosted by the Center for Women Charleston. http://www.c4women.org Read the Charleston Post and Courier article "A life cut short" online at: http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/sep/03/art_honors_dna_chemist_raises_ovarian_ca14655/ For more information about Wyllie O Hagan and Rosalind Franklin, visit their website at http://www.wyllieohagan.com ©2007 Wyllie O Hagan DIAGNOSIS AND SYMPTOMS OF OVARIAN CANCER The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and the American Cancer Society led the effort to form a consensus statement on ovarian cancer. Their statement follows: Historically ovarian cancer was called the "silent killer" because symptoms were not thought to develop until the chance of cure was poor. However, recent studies have shown this term is untrue and that the following symptoms are much more likely to occur in women with ovarian cancer than women in the general population. These symptoms include: Bloating Pelvic or abdominal pain Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency) Women with ovarian cancer report that symptoms are persistent and represent a change from normal for their bodies. The frequency and/or number of such symptoms are key factors in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Several studies show that even early stage ovarian cancer can produce these symptoms. Women who have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor, preferably a gynecologist. Prompt medical evaluation may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease. Early stage diagnosis is associated with an improved prognosis. Several other symptoms have been commonly reported by women with ovarian cancer. These symptoms include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation and menstrual irregularities. However, these other symptoms are not as useful in identifying ovarian cancer because they are also found in equal frequency in women in the general population who do not have ovarian cancer. For accurate information about ovarian cancer, go to http://www.ovariancancer.org/ Wyllie O Hagan are artistic sponsors of The Ovarian Cancer Debate http://www.ovariancancerdebate.blogspot.com