Telephone and E-mail Cancer Helplines

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 11/2022

When you need assistance or advice on cancer-related topics, many organizations will offer their expertise at no charge. This includes the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which offers a Patient Information Line. The following list includes other telephone and e-mail helpline services answered by oncology health professionals, trained counselors, or volunteers. These services offer general medical information. For specific medical questions, you should always talk with your doctor or another member of your health care team.

General support organizations

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based health organization that supports cancer research, education, advocacy, and service. Call the toll-free number (calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), or contact them via live chat Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM CT. Questions are taken in both English and Spanish.

The American Institute for Cancer Research promotes research and education on diet and cancer prevention. When you call or email the Nutrition Hotline, your question will be taken, and your call will be returned within 3 business days by a registered dietitian (RD). Calls are answered from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday.

The Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Information Network helps serve the needs of people facing a bone marrow, blood stem cell, or umbilical cord blood transplant by linking them with a survivor and referring them to health insurance support. Calls are answered between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM CT, Monday through Friday, and emails are usually answered within 48 hours.

CancerCare's mission is to provide free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer, including people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved. Professional oncology social workers provide information about talking with your doctor, finding financial resources, researching treatment options, coping with side effects, dealing with emotional issues, and talking with children about cancer.

Cancer Hope Network provides confidential support via telephone and online to people with cancer and their families. Call between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM ET, Monday through Friday, or fill out the online request form to request to be matched with a trained volunteer who has experienced a similar diagnosis. Calls are generally returned within 24 hours.

Cancer Support Community‘s Cancer Support Hotline is operated by trained professionals and provides people with cancer and their loved ones with guidance, support, and resources. People can also receive help through a LiveChat, operated Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET.

  • Phone: +1-888-793-9355

LIVESTRONG provides free cancer support services to help people cope with the financial, emotional, and practical challenges that accompany the disease. Call the helpline between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM CT, Monday through Friday, or fill out the contact form for a response via email. You should receive a response within 48 hours.

The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link connects current and prospective recipients of bone marrow/stem cell transplants and their families with trained volunteers who have had a transplant or are donors or caregivers. Calls are answered from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM ET, Monday through Friday. If you request peer support, a volunteer will return your call within 48 hours.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the United States federal government's principal agency for cancer research and training. Call or have a confidential online text chat to get answers about cancer questions from an NCI information specialist. The NCI also provides personalized support with quitting smoking. Questions are taken in both English and Spanish. Calls are answered between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday. Online chats are available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday.

The Patient Advocate Foundation serves as a liaison between a patient and their insurer, employer, and/or creditor to resolve issues related to their diagnosis. Call the helpline to speak with a professional case manager from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday.

Disease-specific support resources

After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) provides free personalized information and support to people affected by breast cancer, including patients, family, and friends, through its mentoring program. If you have questions or would like to be matched with a mentor, you can call the toll-free help line, send an email to the address listed below, or fill out the request form.

The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is a patient advocacy organization dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer. Call the helpline for information on colorectal cancer or to be connected with a colon or rectal cancer survivor or caregiver through the CCA Buddies Program. When you call the toll-free number, your request will be taken, and your call will be returned within 36 hours by a staff member. Calls received over the weekend will be returned the follow Monday. Calls are answered between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday, and information is available in English and Spanish.

  • Phone: +1-877-422-2030

The Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry, located at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, is an international registry of families with 2 or more relatives with ovarian cancer. Cancer information specialists are available to answer questions about familial ovarian cancer. Calls are answered from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM ET, Monday through Friday.

The GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer provides the Lung Cancer Hotline, an information and referral service for people with lung cancer and their caregivers. It provides information on screening, symptoms, and treatment options. The staff also refers callers to support groups, medical facilities, and other organizations. Calls are answered from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday.

The International Myeloma Foundation provides a free hotline, which is answered by National Cancer Institute-trained specialists, to provide information and support. Call between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM PT, Monday through Thursday or 9:00 AM and 2:00 PT on Fridays, or send an email.

  • Phone (U.S. and Canada): +1-800-452-2873
  • Phone (International): +1-818-487-7455
  • Email: infoline@myeloma.org

Living Beyond Breast Cancer provides a Breast Cancer Helpline to connect people with breast cancer with a trained volunteer who has also been diagnosed with breast cancer, offering offer emotional support, guidance, and hope. Call or fill out the peer match form to be matched with a volunteer.

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation support line provides education, connection to resources, and opportunities for engagement to help patients and caregivers better face the challenges of lung cancer.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provides a hotline with a dedicated information specialist who can answer questions about blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, or other related questions. Calls are answered from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday. You can also chat online from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday. Emails sent through the email contact form will be replied to within 1 business day.

The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition raises awareness of ovarian cancer and provides education and support for people with ovarian cancer and their families. Calls are answered from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is a patient advocacy organization for the pancreatic cancer community. Call for disease information, clinical trial searches, or support resources. Calls are answered between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM PT, Monday through Friday.

  • Phone: +1-877-272-6226
  • Phone (International): +03-3221-1421
  • Email: info@pancan.org

SHARE offers survivor-led support for people affected by breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical, or metastatic breast cancers. Send an email or call the hotline for emotional support, information, and resources. Calls are answered by breast or ovarian cancer survivors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  • General Helpline: +1-844-275-7427
  • Breast Cancer Helpline in English and Spanish: +1-844-271-7427
  • Ovarian Cancer Helpline: +1-866-537-4273
  • Uterine Cancer Helpline: +1-844-582-6005
  • Cervical Cancer Helpline: +1-332-600-1057
  • Email contact form

Susan G. Komen for the Cure supports breast cancer research and community-based outreach programs. Their Breast Care Helpline provides general information about breast health, facts about disease and treatment options, and information about community resources and support groups. Calls and emails are answered from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday.

ZERO: The End of Prostate Cancer provides information to enable people to make informed choices regarding prostate cancer detection and treatment. ZERO will help patients and their families navigate insurance and financial obstacles to cover treatment and other critical needs associated with cancer. They also offer a peer-to-peer support program called the ZERO MENtor program. Calls are answered between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM CT, Monday through Friday.

If you are feeling hopeless and think you are in danger of harming yourself, contact the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine at 988 (in the United States) or via live chat.

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