Finding practical, trustworthy information after cancer diagnosis can be challenging. Biotext worked with the Pancare Foundation to develop a set of handbooks for people diagnosed with an upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer.
Building on the highly successful pancreatic cancer handbook we previously developed for Pancare, we expanded the series to help more people navigate an upper GI cancer diagnosis. We developed dedicated handbooks for liver, biliary, oesophageal and stomach cancers, combining clear information about diagnosis and treatment with practical nutrition guidance tailored to each cancer type. We also created a companion guide that gives clinicians a clear, accessible introduction to pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.
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I have worked with Biotext for nearly 2 years on this project, and it has been a pleasure to work closely with [them] on the upper GI cancer patient diagnosis and nutrition handbooks. [The Biotext team] is responsive, professional and always happy to assist. These handbooks were created for a My Care KIT patient resource, and I have received nothing but positive feedback on the quality of these resources, how beneficial they have been for our patients, and how the information is easy to understand.
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[What I value the most about Biotext is the] clear communication and high-quality work/outputs, detailed feedback on resources, and ability to work with me to streamline the review process and make it as efficient as possible. [The handbooks were] written in a format that enables patients to understand complex information about diagnosis, treatment and diet/nutrition.
Our role
- Content design and structure
- Technical writing and synthesis
- Copyediting and proofreading
- Work with subject matter experts
- Information design
Our solution
Accurate information was only part of the goal – the handbooks also needed to feel useful and approachable. Nurses, oncologists and dietitians helped shape the handbooks through several rounds of expert review, while custom illustrations brought key concepts to life and made complex information easier to understand.
We began by adapting the successful pancreatic cancer handbook template for liver, biliary, oesophageal and stomach cancers. A consistent structure made the resources a recognisable suite, but remained flexible enough to accommodate the content requirements of each handbook. Alongside the handbooks, we developed a companion guide to help clinicians identify pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and manage it using pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.
We brought together evidence and advice from multiple sources, turning complex clinical and nutrition information into concise, practical guidance. This gave people with upper GI cancers and their families access to the information they needed in clear, easy-to-use resources.ontent design was an important part of making the handbooks approachable. We identified opportunities for illustrations to clarify key concepts, then worked with a graphic designer to develop those concepts into engaging visuals.
We copyedited and proofread every handbook, ensuring the finished suite was accurate, consistent and ready to support its readers as part of the My Care KIT.
One of the most rewarding parts of the project was collaborating with subject matter experts to strengthen clinical accuracy without losing the plain-language approach. Together, we shaped information that remained rigorous while being clear and accessible to patients and their families.
Outcomes
- Handbooks covering diagnosis, treatment, diet and nutrition for people living with liver, biliary, oesophageal and stomach cancers
- A guide for clinicians on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy