Award for doctor who talks about cancer in plain English

The cancer manual produced by the Forum for National Men's Health Week earlier this year has won one of this year's Plain English Campaign awards.

The Cancer Manual is the latest in the best-selling line of health books written by the Forum's president Dr Ian Banks and published by Hayes along the lines of their well-known workshop manuals.

The award's judges thought the book was a great example of how an appropriate tone and style can be just as important as the content. Chrissie Maher, founder director of the Plain English Campaign awards, said: 'The language is pitched at the right level: informative and authoritative, but lighthearted and friendly. And the familiar design is a particularly effective way of making sure the reader can find their way around the guide without getting that dreaded feeling of being back in school'.

Dr. Banks said: 'I am delighted for the Men's Health Forum and for Haynes that the manual has won this award. The publication was very much a collaborative effort by many charities and organisations who contributed to the book.'

The award was presented by Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, pictured here on the left with Matthew Minter of Haynes (centre) and Ian Banks. The other winners are Age Concern Scotland, Colchester & Tendring Women's Refuge, Dudley Zoological Gardens, Lekker Design, Nomad Housing Group and Sherforce. 

Next year's National Men's Health Week (13-19 June 2005), which will focus on men and obesity, will feature another collaborative Haynes-style manual by Dr Ian Banks to be entitled the HGV manual.

• Copies of the manual are still available from the Forum or via our bookshop.