Journalists will be able to visit cancer care and research facilities and receive specialist contacts, cancer data and reference materials at a training session in Reus on Tuesday 20 October.

The event, organised by the Catalunya Sud Cancer Center (CSCC) and the Tarragona branch of the Col·legi de Periodistes de Catalunya, the professional association for journalists in Catalonia, is intended to help reporters check and explain cancer information. For residents, the organisers say the aim is clearer, evidence-based reporting on prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cancer research.

According to the Col·legi de Periodistes de Catalunya announcement, the session will run from 08:45 to 12:00 at Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, at Avinguda Doctor Laporte 2.

“The aim is simple: to get to know one another better in order to explain cancer better to the public,” the organisers said.

Laboratory and oncology unit visit

The programme includes a visit to the Molecular Biology Laboratory and outpatient oncology facilities, including the day hospital, radiotherapy service and pharmacy.

Participants will also be introduced to a proposed CSCC toolkit for journalists, comprising:

  • a directory of experts by speciality;
  • a glossary and organisational chart;
  • a press dossier and cancer epidemiology data; and
  • contact channels intended to speed up information requests.

Doctors and journalists will then discuss how health stories are produced, how scientific information is checked, and the practical pressures of newsroom deadlines and formats. The morning will end with questions and conclusions at 12:00.

Registration closes on 19 October

The session is for journalism and communication professionals. Those wishing to attend must register by Monday 19 October by emailing [email protected] with their first name, surname, telephone number, email address and, where applicable, media outlet.

Primary sources: Ajuntament de Reus. Reported by lligacontraelcancer.cat, periodistes.cat, gruposolti.org, Col·legi de Periodistes de Catalunya.