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Resources & support
Trusted places to learn more and find support. For questions about your own health, always start with your healthcare team.
Free help, any cancer question
The National Cancer Institute’s information specialists, Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET, in English and Spanish. Free and confidential.
Talk to someone
Free, confidential help from the National Cancer Institute, in English and Spanish.
- NCI Cancer Information Service — 1-800-4-CANCER
Call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237), Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET, to speak with a trained information specialist about any cancer question.
- NCI LiveHelp online chat
Chat online with an NCI information specialist, Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET.
- Email NCI
Send your cancer question to [email protected].
- Información en español
Recursos del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer en español, incluida la línea de ayuda.
Learn more from the source
- National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov)
The primary source for all Cancer Explained content — comprehensive, evidence-based cancer information from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
- NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Plain-language definitions of more than 9,000 cancer-related terms.
- NCI Publications
Free NCI booklets and fact sheets for patients, families, and caregivers.
Find care and clinical trials
- NCI: Find a Clinical Trial
Search NCI's database of cancer clinical trials. Always discuss trial participation with your healthcare team.
- NCI-Designated Cancer Centers
Find NCI-designated cancer centers across the United States.
- ClinicalTrials.gov
A wider registry of clinical studies run by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Quitting smoking
- NCI Smoking Quitline — 1-877-44U-QUIT
Call 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848) to speak with a trained smoking-cessation counselor about preparing to quit and managing cravings.
- Smokefree.gov
Free tools, tips, and support to help you quit smoking.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger or experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number (911 in the U.S.) right away. Cancer Explained is educational only — see our medical disclaimer.