{"title":"NCI Cancer Information Service","summary":"The National Cancer Institute's free, confidential information service. Specialists answer questions by phone, live chat and email, including help understanding treatment, finding NCI-supported clinical trials and locating cancer centers.","body":"The Cancer Information Service is the National Cancer Institute's contact center. It has helped patients, families and the public since 1975, and NCI describes it as free and confidential. Information specialists can explain a diagnosis or treatment in plain language and help you search for clinical trials.\n\n## What they offer\n\n- Answers about cancer types, treatment and research from trained information specialists.\n- Help searching for clinical trials, including NCI-supported trials.\n- Help finding NCI-designated cancer centers and other care.\n- Service in English and Spanish, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.\n\n## How it works and what it costs\n\nCall, use live chat or email; details are below. It's free (checked October 23, 2026). Specialists don't give medical advice about your case, but they can help you prepare questions for your doctor.\n\n## How it fits with other services here\n\nIt's a good neutral first call if you don't know where to start. For lung cancer-specific help, see [LUNGevity](/companies/lungevity/) and [GO2 for Lung Cancer](/companies/go2-for-lung-cancer/). My [start here guide](/resources/a-place-to-begin/) and [clinical trials guide](/resources/clinical-trials/) cover next steps.\n\n## Questions I would ask\n\n- Can you help me search for trials that fit my biomarker and treatment history?\n- Which NCI-designated cancer centers near me treat my cancer?\n- Where can I read about the newest research on my cancer type?\n\n## Contacts\n\n- Website: [cancer.gov/contact](https://www.cancer.gov/contact)\n- Phone: 1-800-422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER)\n- Email: NCIinfo@nih.gov","topics":["clinical-trials","getting-started","expert-support"],"capabilities":["research-support","clinical-trials"],"organizationType":"academic-center","services":["research-navigation","trial-navigation","patient-education"],"communityFocus":["People with cancer","Caregivers","Family and friends"],"sources":[{"id":"contact","label":"Contact the Cancer Information Service","url":"https://www.cancer.gov/contact","publisher":"National Cancer Institute","checkedAt":"2026-10-23","supports":"'CIS is a free and confidential service'; since 1975; phone 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237), live chat, email NCIinfo@nih.gov; English and Spanish, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. ET; help with cancer research and clinical trials and finding cancer treatment.","type":"official"}],"applicability":"For patients and caregivers who want expert help understanding options, research or next steps. Inclusion is not a recommendation or a finding that this service is right for your situation.","limitations":"Service details are reported by the provider unless noted, as of October 2026. This service does not replace your oncologist. Confirm current services, eligibility and any costs directly.","disclosure":{"type":"none","text":"I have no financial or business relationship with NCI Cancer Information Service."},"reviewedAt":"2026-10-23","relatedIds":["bcbf518f-872e-434c-b031-3d6c266ceaa4","d6751647-28f6-42b0-a0de-56b30c69790b","37f8559b-848c-41bc-9591-06013c785a00"],"assetIds":["f28dcf1e-65ae-4438-ae22-d1dba1678eab","925b8bf3-fc95-49eb-a4b6-bfbf8d507dd4"],"relatedX":[],"website":"https://www.cancer.gov/","serviceStatus":"available","access":{"label":"Contact the Cancer Information Service","url":"https://www.cancer.gov/contact"},"regions":["United States"],"facts":[{"label":"Cost","value":"Free and confidential, per NCI (checked October 23, 2026).","sourceIds":["contact"]},{"label":"Since","value":"1975.","sourceIds":["contact"]},{"label":"Phone","value":"1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).","sourceIds":["contact"]}],"id":"e9ec41ed-a04f-4e7d-be20-a0a69d10f22c","kind":"company","slug":"nci-cancer-information-service","revision":"0925aed7-789d-4809-8e3e-cc378c0d8bba","canonicalUrl":"https://kevinwimer.com/companies/nci-cancer-information-service/","publishedAt":"2026-10-25T03:12:58.825Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-25T03:12:58.825Z","previewOnly":false,"logoAssetId":"f28dcf1e-65ae-4438-ae22-d1dba1678eab","logoBackground":"light","logoSource":{"pageUrl":"https://www.cancer.gov/","assetUrl":"https://www.cancer.gov/sites/www/files/ncids_header/logos/Logo_NCI.svg","checkedAt":"2026-10-25T02:41:24.744Z"},"shareImageAssetId":"925b8bf3-fc95-49eb-a4b6-bfbf8d507dd4"}