How you helped refresh our Patient Information resources
Refreshing Our Patient Information resources
Our Patient Information team recently updated the resources we use to raise awareness of the information and support available for people affected by cancer. The goal was to make sure our support offer is easy to find and understand, whatever someone’s background, literacy level, or accessibility needs.
We provide an information leaflet, poster, and wallet card that signpost people to:
- Cancer Chat – our online community where people can connect and share experiences
- Cancer Information Nurses – our specialist helpline offering expert advice and support
- About Cancer webpages – trusted information on cancer types, treatments, and coping
These resources are widely used in hospitals and GP practices, and Cancer Research UK staff also share them at events. Every month, we distribute around 7,000 wallet cards, 1,300 leaflets, and 50 posters, showing how valuable they are in helping people access support.
To make sure these materials are clear, relevant, and high quality, we involved our Online Cancer Insights Panel in the refresh. Their input helped us design resources that truly meet the needs of patients and their loved ones—providing reassurance and guidance during what can be a worrying and difficult time.
Impact of involvement on our resources
Thanks to your involvement, we’ve made meaningful changes to ensure our resources are more inclusive, accessible, and supportive. Here’s the difference your input made:
More inclusive and relatable materials
- We added more diverse images to represent different cultures, age groups, and visible and hidden disabilities
- Included a real patient story for authenticity and emotional connection.
Clearer, easier-to-understand information
- Simplified language and improved layout using icons, headings, and colour for better navigation.
- Clarified clinical trials information and contact details (including making the freephone number clear).
Improved accessibility and practicality
- Added QR codes to the leaflet and poster for quick access to online resources.
- Increased font size on wallet card for readability.
- Highlighted the need for future development of “easy read” versions and multilingual formats.
Your feedback on the above resources has helped to shape, develop and improve them to best meet the needs of people affected by cancer. As it is most likely that people will use these resources during the time of diagnosis, we wanted them to be trustworthy and easy to access, particularly during a very overwhelming time for many. Your feedback based on your experience has helped us to achieve this.
Patient Information Web team staff member
We can’t thank you enough for your thoughtful and honest comments. This consultation has demonstrated the value and strength of lived experience when developing information resources for people affected by cancer.”
Patient Information Web team staff member