1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
Revealed! The True Story of Breasts consists of an introduction, timeline, and three personal essays. Joanne Chen conceived the idea, reported and wrote the introduction and timeline, and assigned and edited the essays. The essayists are Martha McPhee, Judith Newman, and Gale Konop Baker. A fourth essay appeared online, written by Carmen Peleaz. Ying Chu top-edited the package.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
The story appeared in the March 2010 issue.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The package, which appeared on the heels of the heated debate over new mammogram guidelines, explored the multitude of ways women, men, and society in general have viewed breasts over the centuries, with the goal of putting the revised mammogram controversy into perspective. And while it was a medical dust-up that spurred the package, we nevertheless integrated information from a range of disciplines (sociology, psychology, history, law, and even pop culture) to offer a comprehensive understanding of the issue. As we hoped women would discover in the package introduction and timeline, breast-focused controversies have flared up historically, and will probably continue to do so. It's up to women themselves to take charge and respect this amazing part of the body (one unique to their sex), listen carefully to the arguments, and, in the end, do what's best for them. There's no one-size-fits-all policy when it comes to breasts. The individual essays expand further on the idea of individual empowerment: McPhee, in "My Amazing Milk Machine," writes about the incredible capacity of breasts to provide sustenance to the young. Baker, in "The Accidental Breast Cancer Patient," wonders whether her mammograms saved her life–or did more harm than good. Newman, in "Tatas, Knockers, and Fun Bags," explains that there is, in fact, is an appropriate way for men to appreciate a woman's breasts. Online, Pelaez writes about her initial desire, and then reluctance, to purse reduction surgery for her E-cup breasts.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
We used the Internet to procure stats and information from such organizations as the American Society of Plastic Surgery, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and the American Cancer Society. Other resources include image sites, where we searched for depictions of breasts in art through time, as well as art books, where we tracked down historic imagery of bras and ads for bras.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
For the introduction and timeline, we interviewed science historians, plastic surgeons, and sociologists. We also conducted extensive background research and interviews with physicians and health care officials to make sure we understood the issues surrounding the mammogram controversy in order to present a thoughtful, multidisciplinary piece with a clear point of view. The essayists wrote from personal experience.
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.
No follow-up or corrections have run and the accuracy of the articles has not been challenged.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Sometimes articles about important topics such as breast health are dry, preachy, and off-putting. But nothing exists in a vacuum. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, presenting the history of the issue, and incorporating personal stories as well as scientific information, we hoped, would allow readers to understand the nuances of the controversy and appreciate the bigger picture.