Where to Find Basic Cancer Information on cancer.org

Updated

cancer.org organizes basic cancer information under its All About Cancer section, which you can reach from the main navigation. The site groups content into four entry points that match how people actually look for answers: browsing by cancer type, learning what cancer is, understanding risk and screening, and coping with a new diagnosis. If you have just been diagnosed or want a plain-language starting point, begin with "What Is Cancer?" and the Cancer Glossary, then move to the page for your specific cancer type.

Browse by cancer type

The site lists individual cancer types as separate sections, including:

  • Breast Cancer
  • Colon & Rectal Cancer
  • Lung Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Skin Cancer
  • All Cancer Types (a full index)

Each type page is the place to look for information specific to that cancer rather than general explanations. Start here once you know which cancer you are researching.

Learn the fundamentals

Under Understanding Cancer, cancer.org provides:

  • What Is Cancer? — the basic explanation of what cancer is
  • Cancer Glossary — definitions of terms you will encounter in reports and conversations
  • Anatomy Gallery — visual reference for body parts and organs

These pages suit readers who are starting from zero or who need to decode unfamiliar terminology before reading anything more specific.

Risk, prevention, and screening

A separate Risk & Prevention area covers:

  • Genetics
  • Tobacco
  • HPV
  • Diet & Physical Activity
  • Sun Safety
  • Cancer Risk Assessment

The Screening section sits alongside it, and Diagnosis, Tests, Staging and Signs & Symptoms follow in the same part of the site. Use these when your question is about prevention, early detection, or understanding a test result rather than about a diagnosis you already have.

After a new diagnosis

For people coping with a new diagnosis, the site offers:

  • Coping with a New Diagnosis
  • Making Treatment Decisions
  • Preparing for Treatment
  • Treatment Types
  • Side Effects
  • Daily Life & Supportive Care
  • Patient Navigation
  • Financial & Insurance Matters
  • End-of-life Care
  • Survivorship & After Treatment

There are also targeted resource sections for Caregivers & Family, Childhood Cancer, Adolescents & Young Adults, Veterans, and Health Professionals.

Practical entry points

If you want to… Go to
Understand a specific cancer The cancer type page (e.g., Breast Cancer)
Learn basic concepts and vocabulary What Is Cancer? and Cancer Glossary
Understand risk or screening Risk & Prevention and Screening
Make sense of symptoms or tests Signs & Symptoms and Diagnosis, Tests, Staging
Decide on treatment or find support Cancer Care and Daily Life & Supportive Care

The site also lists a 24/7 cancer helpline at 1-800-227-2345 and a Contact Us option in the header, and content is available in multiple languages including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and others via the language selector.

A reasonable path for a newly diagnosed reader: read "What Is Cancer?" for orientation, check the glossary as terms come up, then open the page for your cancer type and the "Coping with a New Diagnosis" section before moving into treatment decision content.