The National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (CIS) is a federally funded program that was established in 1975 as an essential part of NCI’s cancer education and information efforts. For over 35 years, NCI’s CIS has been providing scientifically based, unbiased information to patients, their families and friends, physicians and other health professionals, and the general public about all aspects of cancer including: cancer research and clinical trials, cancer prevention, risk factors, symptoms, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, living with cancer, quitting smoking, etc.

Talk with an information specialist from the NCI’s Cancer Information Service. NCI information specialists are available to help answer your cancer-related questions whether you are a patient, family member or friend, health care provider, or researcher.

Their information specialists are trained to answer cancer related questions by telephone (1 (800) 4-CANCER), LiveHelp instant messaging, and e-mail. In addition to answering questions about cancer and clinical trials, the NCI’s CIS also operates the NCI’s Smoking Quitline (1 (877) 44U-QUIT) which provides free cessation information and support to smokers who wish to quit. There is no charge or fee for their service. Service is provided in English and Spanish.