How this site works
What we do & don’t do
Cancer Explained helps you understand cancer using trusted public health resources, mainly from the National Cancer Institute, written in plain language. So you know what to expect, here is what we do, what we don’t do, and how to use the site.
What we do
Explain in plain language
We turn trusted public health resources, mainly from the National Cancer Institute, into clear, everyday language anyone can follow.
Help you understand your options
We describe how cancer, tests, treatments, and side effects generally work — so conversations with your care team make more sense.
Point you to trusted sources
Explanations link back to their original sources, and we encourage you to read them, so you can see where the facts come from.
Help you prepare
We offer questions to ask, checklists, glossaries, and printable one-pagers to bring to appointments.
Stay free and ad-free
Cancer Explained is a nonprofit educational project. There are no ads, and everything we publish is free to read.
Support many languages
We publish in English and Spanish, and offer machine-translated pages in other languages, so more people can read trusted information.
What we don’t do
Give medical advice
We do not tell you what to do about your own health. Our content is general education, not advice for your specific situation.
Diagnose or treat
We can't diagnose a condition or recommend a treatment. Only a qualified professional who knows your history can do that.
Replace your care team
We're a starting point for understanding — not a substitute for your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Invent information
We aim never to make up medical facts, and we check drafts against sources. Errors can still happen, so please tell us if you see one.
Handle emergencies
This site is not for urgent problems. If you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number right away.
Sell your data
We don't sell your information or use the site to advertise products or services to you.
How to use this site
Think of Cancer Explained as a way to prepare and understand — not to decide. Read about your topic here, note the questions that come up, and bring them to your healthcare team. Use our questions and answers, glossary, and printable one-pagers to get ready for appointments. When you want the full, current detail, follow the source link on any page to the original NCI material.
When to talk to your care team
Always talk with your doctor or another qualified health provider about any questions regarding your own health, and before making any decision about tests or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it, because of something you read here.
In an emergency
Do not use this site for emergencies. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
For more, see our about page, editorial process, and medical disclaimer.