How we use AI

What AI does here

AI helps us draft plain-language explanations from authoritative sources, organize information around the moment a reader is in, suggest related pages, and run automated checks for problems like unsupported claims or missing context. It helps us cover more ground, more clearly, than a small team could alone.

Where AI is not trusted to decide

AI does not get the final say on anything that affects your safety. Every medical claim must trace to an authoritative public source — such as the National Cancer Institute — and pages on higher-risk topics are held for additional review rather than published automatically. We do not use AI to diagnose, to recommend treatment for an individual, or to interpret your personal results.

Our source requirement

If a fact isn’t supported by a cited source, it doesn’t belong on the page. You can see the sources behind each page, and we encourage you to read the originals. See our sources and editorial process for the full picture.

Why most pages are not physician-reviewed

We label pages honestly. Most pages are written from authoritative sources and checked — but they have not been individually reviewed by a physician, and we do not claim they have. When a page carries a “medically reviewed” label, it means a named, credentialed reviewer checked it on the date shown. We will never invent a reviewer or a credential. Read more about our labels on how we review content.

How we handle what you type

Our interactive tools are built to minimize data. Please do not enter your name, medical record numbers, date of birth, address, or other identifying medical information. The symptom checker, screening checklist, and appointment and question builders run entirely in your browser and do not send what you enter to a server. The “Ask” tool transmits your typed question to generate an answer but is designed not to store the question text — it keeps only anonymous, non-identifying usage information. We do not claim HIPAA compliance, and these tools are not for transmitting a full medical record. See our privacy policy.

Limitations

AI can make mistakes, and no automated system catches everything. Our content is general education, not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for your care team, who know your situation. At this time, most Cancer Explained content has not been reviewed by a physician or other healthcare professional. Pages with documented human medical review identify the reviewer, credentials, and review date directly. If something on a page seems wrong, unclear, or unsafe, please tell us — see corrections and error reports or email [email protected].

Why transparency matters

AI lets a small nonprofit turn dense public health information into clear, free plain-language education. Being open about that — and about our limits — is how we try to earn trust rather than assert it.