About Cancer in Plain Words
Cancer in Plain Words was created to make complicated cancer information easier to understand.
Medical appointments, test results, research articles, and treatment discussions often contain unfamiliar terminology. This website translates important cancer concepts into everyday language for patients, families, friends, and curious learners.
Our purpose is education. We want to help readers build a foundation of understanding, learn useful terminology, and prepare thoughtful questions for conversations with qualified healthcare professionals.
We aim to use reputable sources, explain uncertainty honestly, identify when information was last reviewed, and provide links that allow readers to examine the original sources.
Cancer information changes over time and can vary by cancer type, stage, location, healthcare system, and individual circumstances. Readers should compare information across multiple reliable sources and consult their healthcare team for guidance relevant to their situation.
What this website does
- Explains cancer concepts in plain language
- Defines unfamiliar medical terminology
- Helps readers prepare questions for healthcare professionals
- Links readers to supporting sources
- Identifies important uncertainty and limitations
- Encourages learning from multiple reputable sources
What this website does not do
- Diagnose cancer or any other condition
- Recommend a particular treatment
- Interpret an individual test result
- Predict an individual outcome
- Replace a doctor or qualified healthcare professional
- Provide emergency or crisis assistance