NCCN Guidelines for Patients

NCCN is a not-for-profit alliance of 34 cancer centers. It writes the treatment guidelines many oncologists follow. The Guidelines for Patients turn those into plain language with charts, visuals and definitions, so you can follow the conversation with your care team. NCCN says the library is free, made possible by the NCCN Foundation.

What they offer

• Guides by cancer type, from leukemias and lymphomas to breast, colon, prostate, pancreatic, melanoma and many more.
• For lung cancer: separate guides for early and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer and for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (both version 2026), small cell lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer screening.
• Guides on screening and risk reduction, supportive care and specific populations.
• Lists of questions to ask your care providers, built into the guides.
• Patient webinars and a Patient Guidelines app.

How to start and what it costs

Pick your cancer type on the library page and read or download the guide. NCCN says the library is free (checked October 24, 2026). Check the version year on the guide, since some are updated more often than others.

How it fits with other resources here

I use this kind of guide to prepare questions, not to pick a treatment. My tumor testing guide explains the biomarker tests the lung guides keep pointing to, and my second opinion guide covers getting another expert to look at your plan.

Questions I would ask

• Which guide and version matches my exact diagnosis and stage?
• Where does my current plan sit in this guide?
• Which biomarker tests does the guide say I should have, and have I had them?
• Are there options in the guide, including trials, that we have not talked about?

Contacts

• Website: NCCN Guidelines for Patients
• Patient resources: NCCN patient resources