Our health information

To make sure our breast cancer and breast health information is reliable and up to date, we apply high standards when we research, write and publish it.

In this section you can read about our quality standards for information, how to give feedback and The Patient Information Forum (PIF).

Our quality standards for information

We put the needs of people affected by breast cancer or worried about their breast health at the heart of our information.

We’re here for everyone affected by breast cancer

Inclusive language

We use ‘you’ or ‘people’ in our information so that everyone feels included. We only talk about men and women or male and female when it is clinically necessary or in order to talk to specific groups.

We don’t talk about age unless it’s relevant, for example, the age people can be invited for breast screening.

Level of detail

We balance having the right amount of detail, and offer options if you want to know more, like signposting to both our support services and those of other trusted organisations.

Clear language and translation

All information is in plain English. If we translate our information, we get it checked by native speakers to ensure it is translated to the right level and isn’t too complex.

Reading age

We aim for a reading age of 11–14 years so that the information can be understood by the widest amount of people possible.

Photography and illustration

Photographs are inclusive of people affected by breast cancer or concerned about their breast health. Where possible in our photography we use people who have a personal experience of breast cancer, their family and friends rather than stock images.

Illustrations are clear and appropriate. Illustrations of people will use a range of skin tones.

Design

We lay out our information in a way that is clear and easy to read.

Free information in accessible formats

Our information is available to all for free.

All our printed information is also available in accessible formats, including large print, braille and audio.

Getting our information right

Any medical terms are explained with the everyday word used first and the medical term used in brackets after it, for example, feeling sick (nausea).

Clinical information will be checked and approved by our own specialist nurses and external experts.

Information is also reviewed by people affected by breast cancer before being published. If you would be interested in becoming a reviewer for our health information, email health-info@breastcancernow.org

Conflicts of interest

We’ll be honest about any conflicts of interest and tell you about any uncertainties.

Keeping it up to date

Information will be reviewed, updated and amended regularly if guidance changes.

A note about side effects

Side effects of treatment are listed as ‘Common’, ‘Less common’ and ‘Rare’ to reflect the ‘summaries of product characteristics’ (spc). This describes a drug and how it can be used, along with any side effects. We also use the views of our healthcare professional reviewers to ensure these categories reflect their experience and the views of our lay reviewers to ensure information about side effects is given in a clear way. This is so readers understand what to expect and what to do if they experience side effects. You can find out more about spcs on gov.uk or from the electronic medicines compendium (emc).

For more information, contact us at health-info@breastcancernow.org

References and sources

If you’d like a list of the sources we used to research any of our health information pages or publications, email health-info@breastcancernow.org

Feedback

Your feedback about the information we produce is important to us. Health Information webpages have a form where you can give anonymous feedback. The comments are monitored and considered when the information is reviewed. You can also send feedback to health-info@breastcancernow.org

The Patient Information Forum

Our charity is a member of the Patient Information Forum (PIF). PIF is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that provides expert guidance on the development of high-quality health information. They have developed the PIF TICK as a quality mark for health information.

TICK MARK

We follow the best practice guidelines developed by PIF and have a clear process for creating and reviewing our health information.

We are assessed by PIF annually to make sure the information we produce still meets the PIF TICK quality standards.

 

Last updated January 2023, next planned review January 2024