Cancer is complicated.
We make it easier to understand.
Plain-language, evidence-based guidance for people with cancer, caregivers, and anyone worried about symptoms.
Catch it early.
Know which screenings you need.
Some screenings find cancer before symptoms start, and colon and cervical tests can catch changes before they become cancer. Check which you need by age →
Lower your risk.
Starting with a walk.
NCI says there is strong evidence that more physical activity is linked to lower risk of several types of cancer. No gym membership required. Ways to lower your risk →
Seen a scary headline?
We check the claims.
Viral cancer claims, checked against the FDA, NCI and published research, so you know what to believe before you share it. See our claim checks →
Examples: breast cancer, staging, chemotherapy side effects, colonoscopy, immunotherapy
Free, nonprofit 501(c)(3), no ads, no account.Who we are →En españolOther languages
If this feels like an emergency, call 911.Signs that need care now →
What brings you here today?
Tell us where you are, and we’ll take you to the right place.
- I was just diagnosed
- I'm worried about a symptom
- Understand a test result
- Treatment & side effects
- I'm supporting someone
- Life after treatment
Prefer to browse everything yourself? Explore everything →
Our mission
IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofitFree plain-language cancer education for patients, caregivers, and the public.
What we provide: 3,059 plain-language articles, 462 answered questions, 488 Spanish-language articles, 108 verified support services.
Cancer Explained is a free public project of the National Cancer Information Foundation, a Wyoming public benefit nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity on July 13, 2026 (EIN 42-3639534). No ads, no paywall, no account. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
About us →How we review our information →Nonprofit status & governance →
Medical review policyEvidence-based sourcesAI-assisted, source-checkedYour privacyLast updated Oct 2, 2026
Seen a cancer claim online? We checked.
All myth checks- Are 16 Million Americans Ditching Sunscreen? What an Instagram Post Gets Right
- Do Power Lines and Radio Transmitters Raise Children's Leukemia Risk? What an Instagram Post Gets Right and Wrong
- Injectable Nivolumab: What the "5-Minute Cancer Jab" Headline Means
Myth or fact? People often ask
- Does sugar feed cancer?The National Cancer Institute says no studies show that eating sugar makes cancer worse, or that cutting it out shrinks cancer.Read the evidence
- Does baking soda cure cancer?A plausible-sounding explanation is not the same as evidence from reliable human studies.Read the evidence
- Does vitamin C cure cancer?High-dose vitamin C claims blur the line between research, supportive care and unsupported cure claims.Read the evidence
- Does fasting starve cancer?There is real science behind pieces of it, but it is not a substitute for cancer treatment. Ask your oncology team first.Read the evidence
- Do antiperspirants cause breast cancer?Only a few studies have asked directly, and the larger ones found no rise in risk.Read the evidence
- Do detox baths work?We found no evidence that a bath pulls toxins out of the body or treats cancer.Read the evidence
What you'll find here
Free, with no ads and no account. Pick something below, or scroll on: there is a lot more.
- 3,059plain-language articlesWritten so anyone can follow them, with sources you can check.
- 462answered questionsShort answers to what people ask in the exam room and at 2 a.m.
- 151report words decodedPaste the confusing words from a scan or pathology report and see what they mean.
- 40free printablesOne-page sheets to bring to your care team. No sign-up.
- 488artículos en españolPlus guides in other languages. En español, para todos.
- 108verified support servicesHelp with costs, rides, lodging and talking to someone who understands.
- Short captioned videosOne-minute answers you can watch, each linked to the full written guide.
- A calmer cornerComfort pages, quizzes and photo-guessing games for the waiting and the long days.
If this feels like an emergency, call 911.Otherwise call your cancer care team — most have a 24-hour number. Signs that need care now →
Free printable handouts
One-page sheets to fill in, print and bring to your care team. No sign-up.
- Urgent Side Effects Call SheetA refrigerator-ready page for after-hours oncology calls Print or save as PDF
- When to Call Your Care TeamSimple signs that mean call now, call today, or mention at your next visit Print or save as PDF
- Oncology Visit PacketA one-page prep sheet for questions, medicines, symptoms, and next steps Print or save as PDF
- First Questions After a DiagnosisA short list to bring to the first appointment, in plain language Print or save as PDF
- Cancer Treatment Cost Call ScriptQuestions for insurance, billing, pharmacy, and financial navigation calls Print or save as PDF
- Caregiver Rides and Meals PlanA one-page coordinator sheet for rides, meals, errands, and backup plans Print or save as PDF
Which screenings are right for your age?
For adults at average risk with no symptoms. It takes five seconds, and nothing you enter leaves your device.
Some screenings depend on the body parts you have, such as a cervix or a prostate. Transgender and nonbinary screening
Enter your age to see which cancer screenings are recommended, which to ask about, and what is coming up.
Based on U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations; other groups, such as the American Cancer Society, differ slightly. Screening is for people without symptoms. If you have a symptom, see a doctor rather than waiting for a screening. Full guidelines by age. Educational only, not medical advice.
Family history, a gene change like BRCA or Lynch syndrome, or a past cancer? Your schedule may start earlier. The full checkup asks about these.
Get your personal checklistUnderstand cancer step by step
Latest cancer news
New approvals, trial results and research, explained in plain language — dated and sourced.
Seen it online? We checked.
All fact-checksAnswered in about a minute
Short, captioned videos. Tap to play here — each one links to the full written guide.
What is cancer, in plain language?
Read the guide →A symptom is not a diagnosis
Read the guide →Called back after a screening? Read this first
Read the guide →What a 5-year survival rate really means
Read the guide →Does sugar feed cancer?
Read the guide →Remission vs. cure
Read the guide →
Practical tools for the next step
Your support creates clarity and hope.
As a nonprofit, we create free, evidence-based resources so no one has to face cancer alone.
See how your gift helpsIllustrative examples of what gifts like yours make possible — not audited program accounting.