Understand your cancer,
in language that makes sense
TIP turns complex cancer information into clear, personalised explanations
grounded in published guidelines — from first symptoms through treatment and beyond
Other sources explain cancer in general
TIP explains your situation
Personalised to your situation
Evidence-based and guideline-led
Tested with patients
In plain language, without jargon
Work in the NHS, a care provider, or research institution?
Why use TIP?
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This is more common than people realise
1 in 2 patients with advanced cancer don’t fully understand the aim of their treatment
It isn’t a failing — it’s a sign the information was never made clear in the first place
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Most cancer information isn’t written for the person who needs it
Just when you most need to understand what’s happening, the information can feel overwhelming — and the questions are hardest to ask
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TIP is built to change that
It explains your situation in plain language, shaped to where you are — most often soon after a diagnosis, when clarity matters most
TIP supports you at every step
Cancer affects every part of your life — TIP is here from the start
1. Understanding Symptoms
Making sense of symptoms you’ve noticed or been asked about, and preparing to talk them through with your team
4. Treatment options
Weighing the choices, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, and clinical trials
2. Diagnosis
Getting clear on what you’ve been told and what it means for you
5. During treatment
Managing side effects and how you’re feeling day to day
3. Tests and scans
Understanding your results, including biomarker and genomic testing
6. After treatment & beyond
Long-term wellbeing, late effects, and the questions that come up over time
TIP can help you feel more confident
Whether it's your own diagnosis or you're supporting someone through theirs, TIP helps you:
Make sense of symptoms and prepare to talk them through with the care team
Understand the diagnosis, scans, and test results in plain language
Get to grips with tests, like biomarker and genomic testing
Explore the treatment options — including clinical trials — and what they may mean for you
Recognise which side effects are common, and what to expect
Walk into appointments with the right questions ready
Keep track of how things are going over time
What TIP will not do
Replace your doctor or clinical team
Share or sell your private information
Act as a symptom checker or triage tool
Make clinical decisions
Diagnose cancer or recommend a treatment
Why understanding matters
When people can make sense of their cancer, they cope better — and the evidence backs this up
A systematic review of 60 studies found cancer patients with lower health literacy were more likely to:
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have a harder time understanding their diagnosis & treatment
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experience a lower quality of life
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report a worse experience of care
TIP is built to change this with clear information, in plain language, shaped to your situation
Holden CE, Wheelwright S, Harle A, Wagland R. PLoS One. 2021;16(11):e0259815.
What people say about TIP
The comments below come from people who took part in user testing and co-creation
All feedback is used with permission
“The Informed Patient really helped me understand my condition,
gave me great questions for my doctor, and I feel more confident about my diagnosis
and treatment plan.”
Paul C
“When my mum was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, it was terrifying.
The Informed Patient helped us understand this rare cancer and what questions to ask — during an incredibly difficult time, it made things feel less frightening.”
Sarah DS
“My condition had limited treatment options.
The Informed Patient helped me understand what trials would be suitable for me, what to expect, and how the trial would work for me.”
John S
These are individual experiences. Not everyone will have the same experience