summer-2003-Part 2-live - Nieman Foundation - Harvard University

Medical Reporting‘Living With Cancer’A newspaper links forces with TV and radio to inform the community about thecauses and consequences of this disease.By Lois WilsonIn 2001, the Star-Gazette in Elmira,New York, embarked on publicationof a yearlong project examininghow cancer affects our communityand its residents. The idea for thisproject emerged out of an event thathappened in early 2000, when a smallbut vocal group of parents sent a letterto the Elmira school board to demandan investigation into a seemingly highnumber of cancer cases among currentand former students and faculty atSouthside High School.Southside High, built in 1978, is ona site that was home to industries sincethe late 1880’s. The parents’ letter toldof 13 cancer cases among students since1997—including six students who werethen at the 1,100-student school. Bymid-summer, the number of reportedcases had risen to 40.These parents sent a similar letter tostate and local health departments,sparking a New York State Departmentof Health investigation. But as the probewent on, few clear answers were beingfound, and the community’s frustrationwas growing. As we reported onthis investigation, members of our staffwere learning more about cancer. ByAugust 2000, with stories about theschool cancer probe appearing nearlyevery week but with no clear link established,we decided to launch a projectexamining the impact cancer was havingon families and on our communityand, in turn, become a vehicle for givingresidents more information abouthow this disease can be caused.Nieman Reports / Summer 2003 41