The National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service provides the latest and most accurate cancer information to patients, their families, the public, and health professionals. Through its network of regional offices, the CIS serves the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Islands.

The CIS provides personalized, confidential responses to specific questions about cancer.

• By telephone: U.S. residents may call the CIS toll free at 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237). CIS information specialists answer calls Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time, in English or Spanish. Callers with TTY equipment may call 1–800–332–8615. Callers also have the option of listening to recorded information about cancer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Online: CIS information specialists also offer online assistance in English Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time through the LiveHelp link at http://www.cancer.gov on the Internet.

The CIS provides assistance to smokers who want to quit.

• By telephone: U.S residents may call NCI’s Smoking Quitline toll free at 1–877–44U–QUIT between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. local time.
• Online: Information Specialists also offer online assistance to smokers in English Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time through the LiveHelp link at http://www.cancer.gov on the Internet.

More information about the CIS is available in the NCI fact sheet, The National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service: Questions and Answers.

International Resources

A list of resources that contain information particularly helpful to information seekers living outside the United States.

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Last Updated 6/05/2008