- http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/28/us-science-cancer-idUSBRE82R12P20120328
- http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/09/us-cancercare-idUSBRE8380SA20120409
Provide names of other journalists involved.
Sharon Begley
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
March 28 and April 9
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The decades-long ‘war on cancer’ has produced a paradox: few true cures, but a widespread belief that America’s cancer care is the best in the world. These two stories underline the problem. The first offered one explanation of why, despite spending billions of dollars in basic cancer research, the disease remains fatal for most people. The second exposed the flaws in claims about American superiority.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
scientific papers, international data on cancer survival; no FOI or public records act requests
Explain types of human sources used.
interviews with experts
Results:
n/a
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.
Don’t always trust claims based on statistical models. Do the analysis yourself, check the models’ assumptions, ask outside experts to evaluate the claims — even if they have passed muster in a peer-reviewed journal.