In her final report for STAT, science author Sharon Begley examined the increasing incidence of lung cancer in people who have never smoked.
Although she never mentioned it directly in the article, it was a story she lived after she was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2020. Begley passed away on January 16, just five days after she completed her article and submitted it to her editor.
In her final report, which was published Tuesday by STATBegley suggests to readers that although cigarette smoking remains the biggest single cause of lung cancer, a growing proportion of people who develop the disease never smoke.
One doctor told the senior science writer that ‘well-documented’ is that about 20 percent of lung cancer cases in women in the United States – and 9 percent in men – are diagnosed in people who have never smoked.
“Worldwide, 15% of male lung cancer patients are never smokers,” Begley wrote. ‘But half of the female lung cancer patients never smoked. And women who never smoke are twice as likely to get lung cancer than men who never put a cigarette on their lips. ”
In light of the increasing incidence, experts told the reporter that the criteria for investigating lung cancer need to be reviewed and that more investment is needed to study the disease in never-smokers.
Since the story was published, those who knew Begley have applauded the respected science writer for sharing her keen insights even after she passed away.
The article was a final gift from the remarkable and beloved ‘author, co-founder and executive editor of STAT, Rick Berke posted on Twitter.
In 2015, when Berke was looking for top science journalists to man the new start-up publication, Begley’s name was apparently on everyone’s list of recommended hires. (Boston.com and STAT are both part of Boston Globe Media Partners.)
It is with deep sadness that I announce that my mother, Sharon, passed away in Boston earlier today, January 16th, due to complications from lung cancer.
Comment with your own thoughts, memories or stories about Sharon. pic.twitter.com/fIGW2FRuET
– sharon begley (@sxbegle) 17 January 2021
Former and current colleagues responded to her death with love and admiration for the 64-year-old, whose award winning career stretched over 43 years.
‘When I started as a science journalist and perhaps just as important as a female science journalist in the profession of many men at the time, she was an incredible inspiration to me and my peers … she was such a good, so considerate reporter, someone who’ could do a serious investigation without forgetting that the people in the story matter, ‘Deborah Blum, director of MIT’s Knight Science Journalism program, told STAT Begley’s obituary earlier this month.
And thank you to so many of her friends, family members and colleagues who shared so many wonderful memories of her at such a difficult time. https://t.co/COhFcpFvbJ
– Eric Boodman (@EricBoodman) 18 January 2021
Begley starting her career by Newsweek in 1977 he worked over the years on the publication of several pieces as a science editor and scientific columnist. She also has time as a scientific columnist at The Wall Street Journal and as the senior health and science correspondent at Reuters. She has written four books, two co-authors and two solos.
She leaves behind her husband, Ned Groth, her two children and her sister.
Regarding her last piece, Groth writes a letter to Berke, shared with Boston.com, that although he did not read the story before her death, he knew how much work she had done in it, even though her own health fail.
“From my listening position on the other side of the room, she was still the same keen reporter and writer as ever, although her energy and ability to concentrate were striking,” Groth wrote. “She struggled to finish it and was so happy when she submitted it to you. I hope that in your opinion it is good enough to publish in its current state or with your essential editing. Sharon probably would not have decided with ‘good enough’, but it’s out of Sharon’s hands at this point. Given the topic, I hope you share my opinion that, if this is the last thing she ever published, how appropriate it would be. ‘
In a statement to Boston.com, Berke said “literally millions of people” read Begley’s latest story.
“Sharon has touched so much with her journalism, and even in her last days she was the pinnacle of her game,” he said.
Read her latest story here.