The Best Cancer Reporter Award is an independent initiative of the European School of Oncology (ESO) that is funded by private donors. The School established the Award in 2006 to acknowledge excellence in cancer journalism.

Good cancer journalism helps people understand the experience of cancer patients, and that their chances of surviving with quality of life improve dramatically if cancer services are effective, from early detection to treatment, rehabilitation and long-term support. The media can raise awareness about ways of bridging gaps and addressing inequities in cancer, as well as portraying people’s experience of the disease in a more realistic light. High quality cancer journalism conveys important messages to the general public that cancer is not always a death sentence, early diagnosis saves lives, access to optimal treatment improves outcomes, and that life does not stop because you have cancer.