Information Standard

In November 2009, Breast Cancer Care was accredited under the Department of Health’s Information Standard, which recognises trustworthy producers of health and social care information.

This means you can be assured that the information you receive from us has been produced through highly credible and accurate processes. The Information Standard assessed the processes we use to develop information against the rigorous information standard.

We will be placing The Information Standard quality mark on our publications so that you can be reassured that you can trust the information it contains.

Our editorial policy

Our aim is to provide high-quality, accessible information to anyone concerned about breast cancer or breast health.

Our patient information is written by our clinical specialists and reviewed by healthcare professionals and people affected by breast cancer.

We are extremely grateful to the healthcare professionals and people affected by breast cancer who review our publications to ensure that they are accurate and easy to understand.

We update each of our patient information publications every two years, or sooner if there are changes to evidence, treatment or guidelines.

We find your feedback extremely valuable, so if you would like to comment on any of our publications, please email us at publications@breastcancercare.org.uk

Our quality standards for information

• Information will be user-led and relevant to the user’s needs.
• Information should contain the appropriate amount of detail. It should not be patronising or too basic.
• All information will be clear, concise and in plain English. (We aim to achieve an equivalent clarity in translation.) We will use indicators such as Flesch Reading Ease to check readability.
• All unfamiliar words (such as medical terms) will be explained in the main text.
• Information will be balanced, that is, it will be based on the best available evidence. It will also be honest about any conflicts of interest and acknowledge any uncertainties.
• Information will follow good practice guidelines in the sector, for example DISCERN, BMA Book Award (patient information), Information Standard criteria.
• Clinical information will be checked and approved by Breast Cancer Care specialist nurses and external experts.
• Information will be checked and approved by members of the lay reader panel representing the user group it is aimed at.
• Information will signpost readers to other Breast Cancer Care services, as well as relevant external organisations and resources.
• All information will conform to house style and brand guidelines.
• Illustrations and photographs should reflect the user group and wider society, as appropriate.
• Design and layout should reflect best practice in legibility and readability and follow good practice guidelines, for example RNIB See It Right.
• CDs should be studio-quality recordings and DVDs professionally produced.
• Information should be available to all, and comply with Breast Cancer Care’s commitment to diversity.
• Information will be reviewed, updated and amended regularly.

You can read more about the accreditation on The Information Standard website.