1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
"Family Stalked by Cancer: Prospect mother and daughters forced to make painful decisions" by Tracey Ann O'Shaughnessy.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
April 18, 2010.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The advent of gene testing makes it possible for people to peer into their medical future. But what does one do when confronted with the knowledge that a lethal disease is very likely in one's future? One Connecticut family, battered by cancer, believed it was taking preemptive measures when it began to test members and those members began having healthy tissues removed.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Volumes of on-line medical and public material about the BRCA gene, when it was discovered, what it means and at what risk it places those who are found to have it for breast cancer.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Yale Cancer Center, Yale Genetic Counseling Program at Yale Cancer Center, Facing Our Risk ( a group dedicated to those affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer), Dr. Gabriel G. Hakim, obstetrician/gynecologist, Dr. Beth Seiling, breast cancer surgeon, Kathy Christiano, Nina Chrstiano, Tammy Marques,
6. Results (if any).
Many, many comments from readers, including those who had wondered whether they should have the test.
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.
No.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
It is necessary to have the complete trust of as many members of the family as you can find.