Helplines & navigation
Anyone who wants to talk to a real, trained person about what to do next — no appointment needed.
What help is available
Government and nonprofit helplines, oncology-social-worker lines, insurance and access case management, and disease-specific navigation programs.
Good to know
Helplines provide information and support, not diagnosis or treatment decisions. For medical questions, your care team remains the right call.
10 listed resources
Most recent check: 2026-09-29
- Crisis resourceVerified active (recheck due)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The U.S. national mental-health crisis line. Call or text 988 to reach a counselor, 24/7.
By phoneNationalFreeChecked 2026-09-29
- Patient navigationVerified active
American Cancer Society Cancer Helpline
The American Cancer Society's helpline (1-800-227-2345) connects people with cancer information, local programs, and referrals to services such as rides and lodging.
By phoneNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-13
- Patient navigationVerified active
Blood Cancer United Information Specialists
Free one-on-one blood-cancer information from oncology professionals (Blood Cancer United, formerly LLS).
By phoneNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-12
- Patient navigationVerified active
Cancer Support Community Cancer Support Helpline
A helpline staffed by community navigators and counselors from the Cancer Support Community, offering emotional support and help finding local and online resources.
By phoneNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-12
- Insurance navigationVerified active
CancerFinances.org
A free toolkit from Triage Cancer that walks through the financial side of cancer — insurance options, work decisions, disability benefits, and managing costs.
OnlineNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-12
- Patient navigationVerified active
MMRF Patient Navigation Center
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's Patient Navigation Center provides free, personalized guidance about myeloma treatment options and clinical trials.
By phoneNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-13
- Patient navigationVerified active
NCI Cancer Information Service
Free, confidential help from the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Trained specialists answer cancer questions by phone and online chat, in English and Spanish.
By phoneNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-13
- Patient navigationVerified active
PanCAN Patient Services
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Patient Services team provides free, personalized information about pancreatic cancer, specialists, clinical trials, and support resources.
By phoneNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-13
- Insurance navigationVerified active
Patient Advocate Foundation Case Management
Free one-on-one case management for people with serious illness, helping resolve insurance denials, access-to-care problems, and medical debt issues.
OnlineNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-12
- Patient navigationVerified active
ZERO Prostate Cancer Support Services
ZERO Prostate Cancer offers free case management (ZERO360), peer-support programs, and educational resources for men with prostate cancer and their families.
OnlineNationalFreeChecked 2026-07-13
Related guides
What this directory is — and isn’t
This is a free discovery tool. Listing an organization, program, or community here does not mean Cancer Explained medically endorses it, and we cannot guarantee assistance, availability, or eligibility. Details change — always confirm directly with the organization. This directory is not medical advice, triage, or an emergency service. How listings are checked →