Editorial Policy

About OncoEd Inc.

“Powered by OncoEd”
The content provided on this site is "Powered by OncoEd," using educational content to provide oncology professionals, cancer patients and their families with access to the most current information about the prevention, screening, treatment and overall management of cancer. The OncoEd content platform is dynamically maintained to ensure that cancer patients and their families have access to the most up-to-date news and information available in order to help them receive high-quality treatment and gain access to the most recent cancer drugs and treatment strategies through the clinical trials process.

Content developed and maintained by OncoEd Inc. has been awarded with the World Wide Web Health Awards' Gold Award for patient education and information excellence. The Gold Award is the highest possible award bestowed on such sites. In addition, the content has been independently reviewed by over 100 oncology practices and hospitals, and has been endorsed by the National Patient Advocate Foundation and the Oncology Nursing Society.

OncoEd Content: Description and Editorial Policy

OncoEd Inc. produces educational content that provides oncology professionals, cancer patients and their families with access to the most current information about the prevention, screening, treatment and overall management of cancer. The OncoEd content platform is dynamically maintained to ensure that cancer patients and their families have access to the most up-to-date news and information available in order to help them receive high-quality treatment and gain access to the most recent cancer drugs and treatment strategies through the clinical trials process.

Content developed and maintained by OncoEd Inc. has been awarded with the World Wide Web Health Awards' Gold Award for patient education and information excellence. The Gold Award is the highest possible award bestowed on such sites. In addition, the content has been independently reviewed by over 100 oncology practices and hospitals, and has been endorsed by the National Patient Advocate Foundation and the Oncology Nursing Society.

OncoEd content is distributed to over 120 unique internet destinations .as well as to several off-line publications. Some of these include:

CancerConsultants.com is dedicated to providing the most up-to-date cancer information on the Internet regarding treatment and prevention of cancer for patients and professionals. The website includes both patient and professional information, distributed in its two distinct portals: The Cancer Patient Resource Center and the Oncology Professional Resource Center .

Women and Cancer is a print publication for women who have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis. The magazine provides current, comprehensive and evidence-based information about the screening, prevention and treatment of cancer, in addition to inspirational stories of survivorship and advocacy.

HOPE(Helping Oncology Patients through Education) is a print publication dedicated to serving as a comprehensive source of information and inspiration for cancer patients and their families. The content provided for HOPE focuses on diagnosis, treatment, access to care, supportive care, wellness and survivorship, with a combination of breaking news and in-depth coverage of issues that patients and their families care about as they face a cancer diagnosis.

Editorial Policy:

Patient Content Review
The editorial content provided by OncoEd for publication or distribution is subject to a stringent review process wherein articles are reviewed by staff oncologists, medical editors and an extensive medical advisory board to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all information. The credentials and biographical information of our medical and editorial staff and our medical advisors are available at www.onco-ed.com.

Patient Content Sources
The content provided by OncoEd for website distribution is written either by our staff medical writers, staff oncologists or by other independent physicians, healthcare professionals or health writers whom we commission and to whom we generally pay a fee. We require that writers reference current peer-reviewed medical journals, when applicable, and that they cite those references accurately within the text of the article. When the sources in an article are other than peer-reviewed journals, those sources are also referenced and cited within the article. Only appropriately-credentialed medical professionals are quoted within editorial content. Content is independently reviewed by staff editors for accuracy and appropriate references. All patient content created by OncoEd for the patient site of Caring4Cancer.com is dynamically maintained to ensure that it is accurate and current.

Professional Content
The content created for professionals is written by leading oncologists who are hired as independent contractors to produce content specifically for a professional audience. These authors are required to disclose any outside activities, significant financial interests and/or relationships (direct or indirect) with the manufacturers of any commercial products that may be covered in the content.

Continuing Medical Education (CME )
Notwithstanding any language to the contrary, nothing contained within the CME materials constitutes, nor is intended to constitute, an offer, inducement, promise, or contract of any kind. The data contained therein is intended for informational purposes only and is not represented to be error free. Any links are provided as a courtesy. They are not intended to constitute, nor do they constitute, an endorsement of the linked materials by OncoEd.

Conflict of Interest/Ethics Policy
All OncoEd staff editors and writers and contracted writers are required to disclose any financial investments in or involvement with any health-related company that may be the subject of editorial content that the individual is writing or editing. If there is even the possibility of a conflict of interest, the story is reassigned to another writer or editor.

Caring4Cancer.com Patient and Professional Websites' Editorial and Advertising Policies

Content Review
Content appearing on the Caring4Cancer.com website is produced by industry leading content providers and is typically dynamically maintained to ensure that it is accurate and current. The editorial content supplied by these providers for website distribution is subject to a stringent review process wherein articles are reviewed by medical editors to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all information. The author and origin are always provided. For a complete description of the editorial policies, credentials and biographical information of the medical and editorial staff please visit www.OncoEd.com.

Advertising Policies
Caring4Cancer.com will clearly distinguish advertising from editorial content, using identifying words, design or placement.

Caring4Cancer.com will have sole discretion for determining the types of advertising that will be accepted and displayed.

Under no circumstances will the acceptance of an advertisement by Caring4Cancer.com be considered an endorsement of the product(s) advertised or the company that manufactures it.

Caring4Cancer.com retains the right to reject advertising of any kind, and will not accept advertising that, in our opinion, makes unsubstantiated claims of therapeutic benefit for particular products or contains false or misleading information. In addition, Caring4Cancer.com will not accept advertising in any form for any products or services known to be harmful to health (e.g., tobacco products), nor knowingly accept advertisements or grants of any kind from companies that manufacture such products directly or through their subsidiaries.

Because all content appearing on Caring4Cancer.com is produced by third parties, there is a clear separation between the editorial and advertising processes and decision making; current or potential sponsors may not dictate the form or substance of the editorial content appearing on Caring4Cancer.com.

Visitors to Caring4Cancer.com should be able to readily distinguish between promotional and editorial material. Toward this end, Caring4Cancer.com will not run "advertorial" content that is not clearly identified as such.

Caring4Cancer.com will make every effort to avoid publishing advertisements from only a small number of sponsors and will seek to avoid having specific content within online peer-reviewed journals and journal articles either juxtaposed with advertising from or supported by single sponsors within a related therapeutic area.

Caring4Cancer.com will not sell advertising for a specific product on the condition that it will appear in the same location and at the same time as a specific article mentioning that product or the therapeutic area within which that product falls.

Caring4Cancer.com will consider for publication, within appropriate editorial context, all criticism of advertisements or the Caring4Cancer.com advertisement policies.

Links to Other Resources
Any links provided within the pages of the Caring4Cancer.com website are provided solely as a service to consumers. These links do not indicate an endorsement or recommendation on our part.

Contact Us
sales@onco-ed.com

Healthwise® Knowledgebase Editorial Policy and Processes

The field of medicine changes constantly. Each day there are headlines about new ways to diagnose medical conditions, breakthroughs in treatments, and newly discovered ways to prevent health problems. Through a comprehensive topic development process, the Healthwise Knowledgebase software is regularly updated.

Content Written by Healthwise

Healthwise Knowledgebase topics are developed through the collaborative efforts of the Healthwise health information and medical teams using a comprehensive research and review process.

The Healthwise health information team includes full-time professional medical researchers, writers, and editors who have extensive experience in scientific research and medical writing. They work closely with members of the Healthwise medical team, including the chief medical officer, the medical director, the six associate medical directors, and the Healthwise Medical Review Board.

The Healthwise Medical Review Board includes more than 90 specialists from across the United States and Canada. Members of the Medical Review Board are experts in their specialty area. Many of them have academic appointments at the nation's leading medical schools, are actively involved in research, are practicing medicine, and are published in peer-reviewed journals and medical textbooks. They share the Healthwise commitment to empowering patients with reliable health information and building strong patient-provider relationships.

Healthwise content is founded on evidence-based information. Our authors are experts at presenting balanced, unbiased perspectives without influence from commercial interests. Our Conflict of Interest policy enforces the editorial integrity of our writers: "All Healthwise personnel should avoid situations where their personal interests could conflict, or reasonably appear to conflict, with the interests of Healthwise. In this regard, personnel must avoid any outside financial interest that might influence, or appear to influence, their corporate decisions or actions."

Interactive topics within the Healthwise Knowledgebase may include self-assessment tools. For those self-assessment tools that help people reach conclusions about health care decisions or that may be relevant to optimizing health outcomes, we have cited the source of the assessment tool. We have not cited references for surveys that help people understand their own personal behavior.

Topic Development Process

There are four primary steps in the development process: planning, research, writing, and review.

• Writers, editors, and associate medical directors work together to plan the topic.
• The medical librarian develops a research packet for each topic based on extensive research and evaluation of biomedical literature. Research packets contain results of literature searches, key evidence-based medical journal articles, published clinical outcome studies, guideline statements, and consumer health information.
• The writing and review phases are interwoven with collaboration among medical directors and other clinicians.
• As topics are written, both an associate medical director and at least one specialist review them. Topics are reviewed to ensure accuracy and consistency with current practice standards and to identify areas of important development. These independent medical reviewers ensure that Healthwise Knowledgebase topics contain accurate, unbiased information.

New Topic Development

New topics are selected on the basis of several criteria, including requests from consumers and organizations using the Healthwise Knowledgebase, prevalence of the condition, and the degree of shared decision-making potential available to consumers with the condition.

Updating Topics

Topics are updated when warranted by changes in medical practice. The health information and medical teams continuously review the wire services and journals so they can quickly identify changes that affect the practice of medicine. When important changes occur, topics are updated and included in the next quarterly release of the Healthwise Knowledgebase.

In addition, topics are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. The schedule varies by topic.

• Topics that have ongoing research and rapidly changing treatment, such as Coronary Artery Disease, are reviewed for update annually.
• Topics that change less frequently, such as Bunions, are reviewed for update every 2 years.

Organizations and people using the Healthwise Knowledgebase may suggest changes or additions to topics. These recommendations are considered during the topic development process and are included in our updates if they meet our standard criteria and pass the medical review process. If a suggested change applies only to a particular sponsoring organization's readers, and if it passes medical review, then it may be made for that organization's customized version of the Healthwise Knowledgebase. Any change made to the Healthwise Knowledgebase must first pass medical review.

The date of the last update is found at the bottom of every topic page and in the Credits section of each topic.

Content Written by Third Parties

Cerner Multum, Inc., Drug Reference (not included in all systems)

The drug reference included in the Healthwise Knowledgebase is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado.

The update process at Multum is ongoing on a daily basis. New information is incorporated into a database as soon as it appears in the literature or in product labeling. Doctors and pharmacists review the new information and make any necessary changes. Multum uses weekly Current Content searches on all of its drugs in addition to surveying all key periodicals. All leaflets are reviewed by one or more practicing clinical specialists. Healthwise receives monthly updates from Multum. The updates are included in the quarterly releases of the Healthwise Knowledgebase.

The date of the last update is found at the end of each topic.

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Topics

NCI Physician Data Query (PDQ^®) topics in the Healthwise Knowledgebase are provided by the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services.

All PDQ cancer information summaries are peer-reviewed and updated monthly by six editorial boards of oncology specialists in adult treatment, pediatric treatment, supportive care, complementary and alternative medicine, screening, prevention, and cancer genetics. They review current literature from more than 70 biomedical journals, evaluate its relevance, and synthesize it into concise, clear summaries. Healthwise receives monthly updates from the National Cancer Institute. The updates are included in the quarterly releases of the Healthwise Knowledgebase.

The date of the last update is found at the end of each topic.

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (NORD)

The National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc., of Danbury, Connecticut, provides topics on rare diseases for the Healthwise Knowledgebase.

The NORD topics are updated on an ongoing basis as new information is reported that is applicable to a condition. In addition, all topics are periodically reviewed to ensure that all information remains current and accurate. Healthwise receives quarterly updates from NORD. The updates are included in the quarterly releases of the Healthwise Knowledgebase.

The date of the last update is found at the end of each topic.

American Self-Help Clearinghouse Information

The American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse, of Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, provides information on self-help groups.

Healthwise receives semiannual updates from the American Self-Help Clearinghouse. The updates are included in the quarterly releases of the Healthwise Knowledgebase.

Healthnotes® (not included in all systems)

Healthnotes, Inc., of Portland, Oregon, provides information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Each year Healthnotes reviews over 100,000 articles and more than 550 medical and scientific journals to ensure that the content stays current, factual, and balanced. Citations identify the source, the authors, and where and when the information was first published. The Healthnotes’ editorial team includes medical doctors, pharmacists, chiropractors, naturopaths, and dietitians. The Medical Advisory Board includes medical doctors and experts affiliated with leading medical schools, such as the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Healthwise receives semiannual updates from Healthnotes. The updates are included in the quarterly releases of the Healthwise Knowledgebase.

The date of the last review is found at the end of each topic.

Date last updated: 05/18/2005