The short answer
Many free cancer resources are available in the U.S. The NCI's Cancer Information Service (1-800-4-CANCER) offers free, confidential help in English and Spanish. Other free programs can help with transportation, lodging, costs, and finding clinical trials.
The NCI's Cancer Information Service is free and confidential: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
Specialists answer questions in English and Spanish, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET.
You can also reach them by live chat or email, and there is a TTY line for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers.
Free programs can also help with transportation, lodging, costs, and finding clinical trials.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
Cancer is overwhelming, and you should not have to face it — or pay for information — alone. Many trustworthy cancer resources in the U.S. are completely free. A great first call is the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service.
The NCI Cancer Information Service — 1-800-4-CANCER
The NCI offers free, confidential help for patients, families, and providers. Specialists can answer questions about cancer, treatment, clinical trials, and quitting smoking.
- Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Languages: English and Spanish
- Also by live chat or email during those hours
- TTY line for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers: 1-800-332-8615
The Cancer Information Service is free and confidential — you can call, chat, or email.
Other free help
Depending on your needs, free programs may help with:
- Rides to and from treatment
- A place to stay near your hospital
- Understanding and lowering costs, and help paying for medicines
- Finding clinical trials you may qualify for
- Emotional support through free helplines from national cancer nonprofits
How to get connected
A hospital social worker or patient navigator can be one of your best guides to free resources in your area. You can also call 1-800-4-CANCER to ask where to start. See our guides on transportation, lodging, and costs for more.
A note before we begin
This information is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. For your own care, talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, registered dietitian, or care team.
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Common questions
▸What is 1-800-4-CANCER?
It's the toll-free phone number for the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service. It offers free, confidential support for patients, families, and healthcare providers — including questions about cancer treatment, clinical trials, and quitting smoking.
▸What are the hours, and what languages?
Information Specialists are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, in English and Spanish. You can reach them by phone, live chat, or email during those hours.
▸Is there a line for deaf or hard-of-hearing callers?
Yes. The toll-free TTY number is 1-800-332-8615.
▸What other free resources exist?
Beyond the NCI, free programs can help with rides to treatment, places to stay near a hospital, help with costs and medicines, and finding clinical trials. Many national cancer nonprofits also offer free helplines and support.
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