List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Sept. 1, 2011 (SEPT-OCT 2011 issue)
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
With information overload about breast cancer, it’s difficult to sort out what’s true and what’s not. This piece looks at three aspects of breast cancer in which there has been a lot of contradictory news: prevention, screening and the diagnosis. In each of these areas, experts explain what they believe are the critical pieces of information that women must remember.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Studies reported in JAMA, the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Annals of Surgical Oncology; statistics from World Cancer Research Fund International; information from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; research from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Explain types of human sources used.
A 34-year-old woman who was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer; co-director of Dublin Breast Center of the Tisch Cancer Institute at the Mt. Sinai Medical Center; professor of family & preventive medicine at the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Univ. of California San Diego; chief medical officer for the Amer Cancer Society.
Results:
None.
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.
No.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
“I’d say, don’t be afraid to ask seemingly dumb questions–you never know what you’ll learn. And when you’re asking scientists and researchers questions, there’s no shame in saying: ‘I don’t understand. Can you rephrase that?’”