1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
"If You've Ever Had Oral Sex… You Need to Read This" by Alyssa Giacobbe (writer), Maura Rhodes (writer), edited by Sascha de Gersdorff.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Nov. 10, 2010.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Oral cancer was once practically unheard of in young women. Patients were nearly always male and over 50, heavy smokers or drinkers, or both. But this year, 25 percent of oral cancers will occur in women, and a quarter of those cases will stem from something that's historically lurked below the belt: the human papillomavirus (HPV). In "If You've Ever Had Oral Sex&You Need to Read This," Alyssa Giacobbe investigates the link between HPV and oral cancer, and equips young women with what they need to know to safeguard their health. The story then goes a step further, with Maura Rhodes's investigation into the controversy behind a much-debated issue with "The HPV Vaccine: Risks vs. Rewards." The entire package was exhaustively researched and written in a conversational way that cuts through mystifying science and confusing medical jargon; and thanks to the on-target editorial team, Women's Health was the first national consumer magazine to publish an in-depth feature on this topic. Additional service sidebars include "Contraction Reaction," a step-by-step diagram of how HPV goes from STD to oral cancer; and "Watch Your Mouth," which gives readers a full list of early symptoms (HPV-related oral cancer is highly treatable if caught early).
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
The author relied on studies published in medical journals, including the Journal of Clinical Oncology and the New England Journal of Medicine, for data and statistics.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Giacobbe spoke with a dozen M.D.s and researchers in the fields of oncology, otolaryngology, and dentistry, including some who have dedicated their research specifically to HPV-related cancers. In addition, she spoke with three HPV-related oral cancer survivors (two were included in the final version).
6. Results (if any).
N/a.
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
N/a.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Researchers who are enmeshed within the field you're writing about are critical in order to present the most current information about the topic at hand (and generally the best positioned to help you let readers know where the health issue is heading). However, it's the doctors putting the research into use — and the patient survivors who have benefited from their efforts — who often have the best and most relatable stories to share.