How we create & review content

Every page follows the same path from idea to publication and beyond:

1. Topic ideaarrow_forward
2. Content planningarrow_forward
3. Trusted source collectionarrow_forward
4. Risk level assignedarrow_forward
5. AI-assisted or human draftingarrow_forward
6. Source checking & fact reviewarrow_forward
7. Plain-language editingarrow_forward
8. Medical / accuracy reviewarrow_forward
9. Editorial reviewarrow_forward
10. Legal & safety reviewarrow_forward
11. Publishing checklistarrow_forward
12. Publicationarrow_forward
13. Ongoing review & updates

We choose topics based on what patients, caregivers, and the public most often need help understanding — common questions, frequently searched terms, prevention and screening guidelines, treatment side effects, survivorship and caregiving needs, mental-health and emotional support, user feedback, and gaps in existing patient-friendly education.

High-impact topics come first — especially ones that help people make informed decisions or have better conversations with their care team. Before drafting, a topic is approved with a working title, target audience, the main question it answers, its content type, a risk level, the trusted sources to use, and where it will live on the site.

All factual medical claims must be supported by reputable sources. Whenever possible we rely on:

• check_circleNational Cancer Institute (NCI)
• check_circleNational Institutes of Health (NIH)
• check_circleCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• check_circleU.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
• check_circleAmerican Cancer Society (ACS)
• check_circleAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
• check_circleNCCN Guidelines for Patients
• check_circleMedlinePlus
• check_circlePeer-reviewed medical journals
• check_circleAcademic medical centers & major hospitals

We do not publish:

• check_circleUnsupported medical claims
• check_circleMiracle cures
• check_circlePromises that a treatment, diet, or supplement will cure cancer
• check_circleFear-based language
• check_circleMisleading survival claims
• check_circleUnverified statistics
• check_circleAdvice to delay or avoid medical care
• check_circleAnything that reads like a personal diagnosis or treatment plan

We may use AI tools to help create early drafts, but AI-generated content is always reviewed by people, and every medical fact is checked against original trusted sources.

If AI produces a claim we can’t verify against a trusted source, the claim is removed. Sensitive topics — prognosis, treatment decisions, mental health, supplements, clinical trials, urgent symptoms, medications, palliative and end-of-life care — receive extra review.

We write for real people — patients, caregivers, older adults, and anyone who is scared, overwhelmed, or newly diagnosed — aiming for about a 6th–8th grade reading level. That means simple, compassionate language, short sentences and sections, clear explanations of any medical terms, and “questions to ask your doctor.” Our tone is calm, respectful, supportive, and honest without being frightening.

Every page is reviewed for accuracy before publishing. Because we’re a small nonprofit team, we assign each page a risk level so the most sensitive content gets the most review.

After accuracy review, an editor checks clarity, grammar, tone, formatting, accessibility, reading level, internal links, and whether the page actually answers the reader’s question. Cancer information can be scary, so we keep it honest but never alarming — and we avoid fear, shame, and blame, taking extra care around weight, smoking, alcohol, diet, delayed screening, financial barriers, and access to care.

We write to be inclusive of people with different ages, cultures, reading levels, incomes, insurance situations, family structures, disabilities, and access to care. We never assume everyone has easy access to specialists, transportation, paid time off, healthy food, or strong support at home.

We don’t imply affiliation with any organization unless it’s real and documented — we say “this article uses information from trusted sources such as the National Cancer Institute,” not “our partners at NCI.” And we don’t copy copyrighted text: we summarize, explain, and link to trusted sources, and use public-domain government materials where allowed, always reviewed, simplified, and clearly attributed.

Before anything is published, we complete this checklist:

• check_boxTopic approved & audience identified
• check_boxTrusted sources documented
• check_boxMedical claims checked against sources
• check_boxAI-generated text reviewed (if used)
• check_boxUnsupported claims removed
• check_boxRisk level assigned (Low / Medium / High)
• check_boxPlain-language edit complete
• check_boxMedical / accuracy review complete
• check_boxEditorial review complete
• check_boxDisclaimer & emergency language added where needed
• check_box“Talk to your doctor” language included where appropriate
• check_boxLast reviewed & updated dates added
• check_boxLinks tested & accessibility checked
• check_boxSEO title & description written
• check_boxRelated resources added
• check_boxCopyright / licensing checked
• check_boxFinal approval received

Cancer information changes, so we review and update content on a schedule:

• updateLow-risk content — reviewed every 18–24 months
• updateMedium-risk content — reviewed every 12 months
• updateHigh-risk content — reviewed every 6–12 months
• updateGuideline-based pages — reviewed whenever major guidelines change

Each page shows its last reviewed and last updated dates. When screening, treatment, or safety guidelines change, we find the affected pages, update them, re-check accuracy, and refresh the dates.

Our team may be small, but each content role is clearly defined:

Approvals scale with risk: low-risk content needs an editor or site owner; medium-risk adds an accuracy reviewer; high-risk adds a licensed medical professional when possible — and if none is available, the content only summarizes trusted sources, with clear “talk to your doctor” and emergency language.