Editorial policy for cancer information

The Canadian Cancer Society’s goal is to provide up-to-date and accurate information that’s easy to read and understand. We’ve been providing Canadians with information about cancer since we were first formed in 1938. Today, we offer information online, in print and by telephone.

• Editorial independence

  The Canadian Cancer Society maintains complete editorial independence and operational separation from our corporate supporters. This means that the Society makes decisions about the information we provide without interference from them. None of our health information is altered or edited by our corporate supporters at any time.

• How we reach our conclusions

  You can be sure that our policies, health messages and cancer information are based on scientific research.

  We start by reviewing the best scientific evidence available, gathering evidence from research published in medical and scientific journals, scientific conferences, medical textbooks and respected organizations that review cancer-control science, such as:

  • World Health Organization and its International Agency for Research on Cancer
  • Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Environment Canada
  • provincial cancer agencies
  • National Institutes of Health in the US, including the National Cancer Institute
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • National Toxicology Program in the US
  • Environmental Protection Agency in the US
    
    

  Perspectives from other respected organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK, are also considered.

  Evaluating the evidence

  Our policies and information are generally based on many studies. This is called the overall body of evidence. To be sure that we’re providing you with the best information we can, we evaluate the:

  • quality of each individual study
  • number of studies that have assessed the research question
  • consistency of the study results
• The importance of external experts

  We couldn’t offer you the information we do without the help of external experts (for example, healthcare professionals, scientists and researchers). We rely on these experts to:

  • help us interpret research in their field of expertise
  • provide technical expertise
  • help evaluate individual studies
  • consider the weight of evidence
  • review our information to make sure it is based on evidence and that it reflects clinical practice – or how things are done in the healthcare field – in Canada

  We are grateful to the many researchers, cancer specialists and other health specialists who give their time and expertise to help develop our information about cancer.

• Our editorial process

  We develop information because of public interest in a topic or because there are new developments that influence current practice. Research findings and advocacy opportunities that will have an impact on cancer control also lead to the development of information. And ideas come from people who use our information, including people with cancer, healthcare professionals, volunteers, partners and staff.

  Writing and review

  We work with writers and subject experts to develop our content.

  Subject experts – for example, oncologists, other healthcare professionals or researchers – review content for accuracy and credibility and to make sure it reflects current Canadian clinical practice. Our internal experts and editors check and approve all content.

  Updating

  Our cancer information pages are reviewed and updated regularly. And if the evidence changes, these pages are updated as soon as possible.

  Print materials are reviewed every year before they are reprinted. All print materials include our toll-free phone number and email address so that people can contact us for the most up-to-date information.

  Corrections and improvements

  Feedback about our information is kept on file so that we can consider it when the content is revised. Changes that make the text clearer or more accurate are made as quickly as possible.