Oncology as a specialism

Oncology writing combines general medical-writing skills with knowledge of cancer, its treatments, drug development and the conduct and evaluation of cancer trials. It also involves finding resources suited to each stage of the writing process.

Knowledge and skills

All the skills a writer applies when writing about other indications apply to writing about cancer. ¹ Oncology writers are also expected to have some understanding of the molecular basis of cancer and of the principles underlying cancer therapies, and an awareness of some of the specific issues that affect the conduct and evaluation of cancer studies. ¹ A writer has little direct influence on the business decisions made for individual products, but this understanding can help in preparing high-quality documentation, so that decisions on a product's future, whether made by regulators or by a board of directors, are based on well-presented and accurately interpreted evidence. ¹ A thorough understanding of the specifics of the disease under investigation and of established and experimental approaches to its treatment can help writers produce consistent and accurate documentation throughout clinical development. ²

Writing for oncology trials is difficult at every stage, from ideation to reporting. ³ Clear and transparent oncology writing requires solid knowledge of drug development, attention to new treatment modalities and current trial-design trends, and the ability to recognise and address possible biases throughout a trial. ³

Resources for the writing process

Many resources can help oncology writers at every stage of the writing process, although finding the right resource for the purpose may itself be a challenge. ³