I can tell you from a Brit point of view, Marion, but I don't know whether things are the same in Canada. Can't be too different, though.

All the points made above are good ones. Newspapers, in general, like to have a "peg" to hang a story on. All you have to do is come up with a reason for them to print your mammogram myths, so that they can present it as news.

As you're going for community papers, see if you can find a local angle. Is the local hospital launching a screening programme? Can you find a local woman prepared to talk about her experiences? Is anyone appealing for funds? Just look through the papers, and you'll see the same kind of stories cropping up time and again. That should give you some ideas.

If you're going to be stating things as a fact (e.g. there's no need to fear such-and-such; or x-per cent of cancers are preventable if caught early enough; that kind of thing) you'll need to attribute them to someone, so readers know how much trust they can put in a statement. It might be yourself, or maybe some "health expert." Newspapers love "experts".

If the paper you're targeting is big enough to have a specialist health reporter, then target him or her. Arrange to meet them and chat, if you like. It's always easier to deal with someone you know. If they don't have one, talk to the newsdesk or the features department.

If you're planning on presenting it as a press release, feel free to blitz as many media outlets as you can think of. Journalists know that's how press releases work, and that you'll   be looking for as wide publicity as you can get. Otherwise, approach the paper and offer to write an article, or to be interviewed.

Journalists are quite happy to be helped along. They can't be experts in everything and, as Ruth Archer said, many are too busy or too lazy to spend a lot of time on research.

Best of luck,
John
(no telly either, but no spare time because of Mudcat)