Introduction

In this section:

In 2004, the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action highlighted the problems with prostate cancer information on the internet:

  • It is hard to find,
  • There is a lack of co-ordination,
  • Some resources are of poor quality.

This was confirmed by the National Audit Office in 2005 [1]. They showed how poorly prostate cancer compared with other cancers in terms of information provision.

With funding from the Department of Health, the UK Prostate Link website was commissioned to address these problems. This website will be unique because:

  1. We won’t re-invent the wheel: instead, we’ll bring together all the existing information “under one roof” with a system of intelligent signposting;
  2. We’ll make sure that the site is comprehensive: it will address all of the needs of the target audience;
  3. We will assess the quality of the information we include and make sure that people know how reliable it is.

An independent provider was commissioned in January 2005. For more information about how each of these has been achieved, follow the links above.

Reference:

  1. Comptroller and Auditor General. Tackling Cancer: Improving the patient journey. HC 288 2004-2005. 2005. London, National Audit Office.