Cancerbackup is committed to monitoring the service it provides and examining the effectiveness with which it reaches its intended audience of cancer patients, their families and their friends.

Research at Cancerbackup is used:

• to identify the extent to which specific groups of people (e.g. men, ethnic minorities, full-time workers) do or do not use the service, highlighting potential areas for the development of the our services.
• to measure the effectiveness of strategies used to increase the number of enquiries from specific sectors of society
• to monitor the impact of particular campaigns or media stories on the enquiries we receive
• to raise awareness of the need for cancer information by providing data to professionals and the public

Ensuring that the information Cancerbackup has on its enquirers is constantly up-to-date means that enquirers - by 'phone, in person, or by email - may be asked some brief questions about themselves. As well as being used to monitor the number and type of enquiries we receive, this information is used to build up a detailed picture of the information and support needs of those who use the charity. This enables Cancerbackup to continually develop its services to meet people's needs.

All monitoring information given to Cancerbackup's nurses, whether over the 'phone, in person, or by letter or email, is confidential and completely anonymous. We work within the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Recent research publications from Cancerbackup

Hardyman R, Hardy P, Brodie J, Stephens R.  2005.  It's good to talk: comparison of a telephone helpline and website for cancer information.  Patient Education and Counseling 57, 3: 315-320.
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Boudioni, M., Mossman, J., Boulton, M. & Hardy, P.   2004.  Differences in enquiries to Cancerbackup information service by living arrangements.  European Journal of Cancer Care 13, 1: 6-10.
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Hardyman R, Leydon GL.  2003.  Letter: Media influence behaviour.  British Medical Journal 326: 498. 
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Boudioni M, McPherson K, Moynihan C, Melia J, Boulton M, Leydon G, Mossman J. 2001. Do men with prostate or colorectal cancer seek different information and support from women with cancer? British Journal of Cancer, 85 (5): 641-648.
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Brodie J. 2001. Getting through. Health Service Journal, 17 May 2001, pp.26-27.
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Boudioni M, McPherson K, Mossman J, Boulton M, Jones AL, King J, Wilson E, Slevin ML. 1999. An analysis of first-time enquirers to the Cancerbackup information service: variations with cancer site, demographic status and geographical location. British Journal of Cancer, 79 (1), 138-145.
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