Abstract

This graphic narrative is a fictional case report illustrated using paint pens and histological micrographs collaged with Adobe Illustrator. The story of Mr P and his physician recapitulates an ethical dilemma presented by cancer screening: screening can save lives, but it also generates diagnostic morbidity and incurs costs.

Figure. Corpora Amylacea

Media

Oil and acrylic paint pencils on paper; micrographs of histologically stained tissue captured using SPOT software and collaged with Adobe Illustrator.

 

Caption

This graphic narrative is drawn from the artist’s experience working in a department of pathology. Drawing on the aesthetic beauty of histologically stained tissue, the graphic relates a story of uncertainty in medicine, represents risk of diagnostic morbidity, and visually considers psychological burdens of disease. The illustrations and micrograph collages aim to provoke a viewer’s consideration of risks, benefits, and costs of cancer screening and workup techniques while the precision of the digital images contrasts with the imprecision of analog histological staining techniques.