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‘Nation’ wins again as Pauline Ongaji bags June Biedler prize for cancer journalism
Nation Media Group writer Pauline Ongaji.
What you need to know:
- Last year, the prize was won by Nation’s Health reporter Hellen Shikanda, who became the first journalist from an Africa-based media outlet to receive this honour.
- The AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism aims to highlight the vital role of the media in informing the public about cancer and advances in cancer research.
Nation Media Group (NMG) journalist Pauline Ongaji has won the prestigious AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
Ms Ongaji scooped the award in the newspaper category for her story about the increasing cases of breast cancer in men.
Last year, the prize was won by Nation’s Health reporter Hellen Shikanda, who became the first journalist from an Africa-based media outlet to receive this honour.
Ms Ongaji’s story, titled “Fighting stigma, fighting cancer: The rising threat of male breast cancer in Kenya” highlights how societal stigma, gender biases in healthcare, and limited awareness contribute to delayed diagnoses and higher mortality rates among men.
The story features individuals like 73-year-old Dr Moses Musonga, who endured a decade-long battle with breast cancer.
Initially, his symptoms were dismissed by healthcare providers, attributing them to less severe conditions due to the misconception that breast cancer predominantly affects women. Such delays in diagnosis are common among men, often leading to advanced-stage detection.
In the story, Ms Ongaji highlights how Cultural perceptions in Kenya often associate breast cancer exclusively with women. This stigma discourages men from seeking medical attention or even acknowledging their symptoms
This ignorance, combined with the absence of targeted awareness campaigns, results in late presentations at healthcare facilities. Healthcare professionals often overlook the possibility of breast cancer in male patients, further exacerbating the issue.
The article underscores the urgent need to dismantle the stigma surrounding male breast cancer in Kenya. By sharing personal stories and highlighting systemic challenges, it calls for a more inclusive approach to cancer awareness and healthcare services.
The AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism, established in 2015, aims to highlight the vital role of the media in informing the public about cancer and advances in cancer research.
It honours exceptional journalism that delivers accurate, engaging, and insightful reporting, helping to deepen public understanding of cancer-related issues—including research, advocacy, and policy. Named in memory of Dr. June L. Biedler, the prize is made possible through a generous endowment she left to the AACR.
“The AACR is honored to recognize these remarkable journalists with the 2025 AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism. This year’s recipients hail from six different countries and, through their stories, bring to light important progress and challenges in cancer science and medicine. Together, the winning submissions convey the global impact of this terrible disease and remind us that combating cancer will require dedicated international collaboration. We are thankful for Dr Biedler’s generous gift that allows us to celebrate the critical role of the media in educating people around the world about cancer and cancer research,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR.
“I’ve had the honor of judging the Biedler Prize for the past decade, and I am thrilled to say that the reporting and storytelling by our entrants continues to amaze me. This year’s winners take us on a stunning journey across five continents, showing in powerful detail the challenges that those with cancer too often face—and the wellspring of innovative science and care that’s being brought to meet them,” said Clifton Leaf, adjunct professor at Columbia Journalism School, and chair of the Biedler Prize since 2017.
Ms Ongaji and other prize recipients will be recognised on April 27, during the Opening Ceremony at the AACR Annual Meeting 2025 in Chicago, Illinois, which brings together thousands of researchers, clinicians, survivors, patients, and advocates to share the latest advances in cancer science and medicine