Ava Brendgord
Ava Brendgord is a reporter and multimedia journalist at WECT in Wilmington. She joined the team in July of 2023 after graduating from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and minors in digital media trends and analytics, as well as political science. During her time at Penn State, Ava worked as an anchor and reporter for the Centre County Report, interned with ABC 23/ FOX 8 in Central PA and KPRC 2 News in Houston. She is originally from Houston but has a passion for storytelling and local news which led her to WECT. In her free time, Ava enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking, hanging out by the beach, and watching Penn State Football.
64%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
85%
Examples:
- Multiple references to Blue Ribbon Run which raises money and provides resources for people impacted by colon cancer
- The phrase 'raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of colon cancer' implies people are not aware despite evidence to the contrary
Conflicts of Interest
50%
Examples:
- Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.
- Wilmington resident Ana Brown knows that pain all too well.
Contradictions
100%
Examples:
- Another reason for the increase, people are getting tested and diagnosed earlier. This statement could be deceptive because it implies that early detection is a positive factor in reducing colon cancer mortality rates, when in fact this may not always be the case.
- Brown and Fox agree that getting a colonoscopy can save your life. This statement could be deceptive because it implies that colonoscopy is the only effective and recommended screening method for colorectal cancer, when in fact there are other options available, such as fecal occult blood tests (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, or virtual colonoscopy.
- Colon cancer is preventable, but you can’t brush off the signs. That’s why getting an early screening is so important. This statement could be deceptive because it implies that colon cancer has a clear and well-defined cause or risk factor that can be modified by lifestyle changes or interventions, when in fact this may not always be the case.
- Current health guidelines say screening should start at age 45, but Brown says she met people with colon cancer as young as 18. This statement could be deceptive because it implies that there is a widely accepted and evidence-based recommendation for the appropriate age to begin colorectal cancer screening, when in fact this may vary depending on several factors such as risk factors, family history, personal history of adenomatous polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, etc.
- Dr. Sarah Fox, a colorectal surgeon at Novant, agrees and she says there are many reasons for the uptick in cases. Fox says living a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, having diabetes, not being physically active, and eating processed foods are all reasons more people are developing colon cancer at a younger age.
- Even if one person sees this story and thinks they need to get checked out, then my time is well spent
- The American Cancer Society is reporting colon and rectal cancers are the leading cause of cancer deaths in young adults.
Deceptions
50%
Examples:
No current examples available.
Recent Articles
2 Million New Cancer Cases Projected in U.S. by 2024, with Colon and Rectal Cancers on the Rise Among Young People
Broke On: Wednesday, 31 January 2024The American Cancer Society projects a record 2 million new cancer cases in the US by 2024, with six of the top 10 cancers expected to rise. Colon and rectal cancers are becoming increasingly common in young people due to sedentary lifestyles, obesity, diabetes, lack of physical activity, and processed foods. Despite guidelines recommending screening at 45, doctors like Dr. Sarah Fox have seen cases in younger adults. The Blue Ribbon Run is a nonprofit raising awareness about colon cancer signs and symptoms through events like 5k races.
