Standard of Information

The aim of the website is to provide good quality information relating to the awareness and treatment of prostate, testicular and penile cancer. All our information publications have been created by two specialist nurses with a background in treating male cancer as well an editorial board consisting of several expert cancer specialists and several former male cancer survivors. All items of a medical nature have been checked for accuracy by professionals in the appropriate medical field. Latest medical research and opinion is incorporated into our publications and website including national clinical guidelines and recommendations.

This information is provided to assist with understanding only and should never be used as a substitute for professional medical opinion.

Orchid makes no charges for membership or using the website. Funding is received via donations, grants and fundraising undertaken by the charity and its members.

Orchid Male Cancer is not an NHS organisation.

Links to external information websites and resources are given in some instances.

Publications in hard copy or on the Orchid website are written to provide accurate and up to date information reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. Where there are differences of opinion, for example, about the best methods of treatment, the publication will endeavour to reflect all opinions where there is reliable research evidence or recognised clinical practice.

Orchid publications are written by Orchid medical staff and must comply with various policies which control their style and content as well as ensuring that they are free from any influence to promote particular research or products. They are reviewed every two or three years as a matter of course. However, the default re-issue period of any article may be changed, where there is a significant change in the understanding of a condition or the way in which it is managed.

We collect and monitor feedback from users and health professionals concerning the content of our publications and aim to respond to any comments questioning the accuracy of information within 10 days. If investigation proves that changes to publications are of urgent clinical importance, we will undertake these immediately. Otherwise, all feedback will be routinely documented and considered when the corresponding publication is next reviewed.

If you would like to comment on our information, good or bad, click on the button below to give us your feedback.

We endeavour to provide relevant and accurate information in line with standard guidelines. Our objective is to improve the quality of health-related information provided to the public.

Our publication process includes proofreading by a member of staff for typographic or grammatical errors, consistency of terminology and adherence to house style. Our publications are also reviewed by two medical professionals qualified and working in the relevant field. Professional and patient feedback is considered when information is published and when it is reviewed.

A database of references is maintained by the staff responsible for writing publications and these are referred to as they write articles.

The information we produce is about testicular, penile and prostate cancer and related topics.

All publications are of a general advisory nature. They are intended to give the reader information that they would find on any approved medical site and are written in clear language. Medical terms may be referred to as appropriate and necessary but will always have an easily understood description with them.

Information will always be produced with reference to current medical sources and Orchid medical advisors.

The purpose of any new document is to provide written information for anyone affected by male cancer. The objective is to provide a general understanding of the subject matter so that they are better prepared to seek advice and ask questions of their healthcare professionals. Our publications do not provide specific advice. They may include links to other sources of information but only when these are from trusted sources which will be accessible for the foreseeable future.

As we carry out review of our publications, we will include links to the appropriate reference sources on individual website pages.

All publications will be reviewed according to a planned review schedule, which requires review of all documents every 2–3 years. Where new or updated information needs to be included, reviews may take place sooner or more frequently.

Links to the websites of other organisations are included where we believe that will help our website visitors. Inclusion of a site does not constitute endorsement by Orchid.

Our policy for links is that they:

• Have relevance to male cancer.
• Provide accurate information.
• Do not offer an opinion or experience unless it is clearly identified as such.
• Do not seek financial support (other than for a charitable organisation)
• Represent an organisation not an individual (except in exceptional circumstances where we feel that an individual’s site provides valuable and balanced information).

Whilst we make efforts to ensure that all links are up to date and working and that linked sites fulfil this basic policy, we cannot regularly monitor the content of all linked sites and do not accept responsibility for any inappropriate or incorrect content.

Anyone with concerns over any site that we have linked can contact admin@orchid-cancer.org.uk.