- http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/01/us-cancer-africa-ghana-idUSBRE8400ET20120501
- http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-05-01/lifestyle/sns-rt-us-cancer-africa-ghanabre8400et-20120501_1_cervical-cancer-cancer-cases-skin-cancer
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
May 1st, 2012
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The piece focuses on the problem of cancer in Africa — how to tackle a disease that in many local languages has no name. There is a widespread belief that cancer is a disease only of the rich world, but one of the very few oncologists in Ghana tells here of an ‘explosion of cancer’ on the African continent. Another describes the ravages of untreated tumors in graphic detail and explains how death rates from some forms of the disease could be cut back dramatically if only people had access to relatively cheap vaccinations.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
World Health Organisation data on cancer from Globocan
Explain types of human sources used.
Author interviewed doctors, patients and relatives at a cancer clinic in Accra and spoke to oncologists in Britain and the United States to get a broader pictures of the issue.
Results:
The piece was picked up and run by many media outlets around the world including the Chicago Tribune and the International Business Times
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
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
I think the strength of this story is in the people. Finding central characters such as inspiring/struggling doctors, patients or relatives helps to build a full picture of the real human impact of a disease.