List date(s) this work was published or aired.
May/June 2012
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
This story looks at how a bunch of ex-Marines affiliated with Camp Lejeune may hold the key to understanding breast cancer. It describes the complicated epidemiology behind this cluster of male breast cancers and the extensive contamination of the base by solvents. This story helped support legislation to compensate victims.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Extensive reporting on the ground and data-mining through documents provided by the Centers for Disease Control and the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry.
Explain types of human sources used.
Found compelling human characters (men with breast cancer) and the scientists studying them.
Results:
After the story came out, Congress passed (and the president signed) the Janey Ensminger Act to provide treatment and assistance to those sickened by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
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.
None
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
The characters are the key to humanizing a story informed by complicated science and statistics.