NCI Cancer Information Service
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.
- Cost
- Free and confidential, per NCI (checked October 23, 2026).[1]
- Since
- 1975.[1]
- Phone
- 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).[1]
Cost
SinceThe 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.
What they offer
- Answers about cancer types, treatment and research from trained information specialists.
- Help searching for clinical trials, including NCI-supported trials.
- Help finding NCI-designated cancer centers and other care.
- Service in English and Spanish, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
How it works and what it costs
Call, 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.
How it fits with other services here
It's a good neutral first call if you don't know where to start. For lung cancer-specific help, see LUNGevity and GO2 for Lung Cancer. My start here guide and clinical trials guide cover next steps.
Questions I would ask
- Can you help me search for trials that fit my biomarker and treatment history?
- Which NCI-designated cancer centers near me treat my cancer?
- Where can I read about the newest research on my cancer type?
Contacts
- Website: cancer.gov/contact
- Phone: 1-800-422-6237 (1-800-4-CANCER)
- Email: NCIinfo@nih.gov
Services & community focus
Academic / research center