Cancer information is most useful when it answers the question in front of you: what a change needs, what a report means, how to compare a test or treatment, or how to support someone. Start with the section that matches your situation.
Twenty-one practical guides help you prepare informed conversations with healthcare professionals. Four features explore art, music and advocacy, connecting cultural history with creative choices and everyday family support.
Find a cancer guide
Browse all 25 guides below, or start with a question. Each guide includes explanations and questions you can bring to a care conversation.
Prevention, inherited risk, and tests
Published October 2026
Cancer Genetic Testing: Family History, Inherited Risk, and What Results Mean
Gather family history, distinguish inherited-risk and tumor testing, interpret results and prepare for counseling with a printable worksheet.
Updated October 2026
Breast Changes and Exams: What to Notice and What Happens Next
Describe breast changes, distinguish examination from screening, and prepare for diagnostic imaging and follow-up.
Updated October 2026
Colorectal Cancer: Screening, Symptoms, and Next Steps
Compare common screening options, understand abnormal results, and prepare questions about diagnosis and treatment.
Updated October 2026
Cancer Prevention: Practical Ways to Reduce Risk
Prioritize tobacco, alcohol, activity, sun protection, vaccination and screening conversations without promises or blame.
Updated October 2026
Liver Cancer Prevention: Hepatitis, Liver Health, and Aflatoxin Exposure
Understand liver-cancer risk reduction, hepatitis care, surveillance and the limits of supplement research.
Updated October 2026
Cervical Cancer: HPV, Screening Results, and Follow-up
Understand HPV and Pap tests, current screening options, self-collection and the next steps after an abnormal result.
Updated October 2026
Prostate Cancer Detection: PSA, MRI, and Biopsy Decisions
Understand PSA screening choices, repeat testing, MRI and biopsy roles, and how to track the next step after an abnormal result.
Updated October 2026
Digital Mammography: 2D, 3D, Breast Density, and Callbacks
Prepare for a mammogram, understand breast density and BI-RADS results, and make a clear plan for a callback or further testing.
Updated October 2026
Skin Cancer: Changing Spots, Evaluation, and UV Protection
Describe a changing skin spot, understand examination and biopsy, and build practical sun-protection habits across skin tones.
Cancer types and understanding a diagnosis
Updated October 2026
Breast Cancer: Understanding a Diagnosis and Preparing for Care
Understand pathology, stage and biomarkers, then prepare questions about treatment, nutrition and practical support.
Updated October 2026
Bone Cancer: Primary Tumors, Bone Metastases, and Evaluation
Distinguish primary bone cancer from cancer spread to bone, understand testing and biopsy planning, and evaluate risk claims.
Updated October 2026
Thyroid Cancer Treatment: Why Type and Test Results Matter
Understand thyroid-cancer types, surgery, radioactive iodine, molecular testing and questions for a treatment discussion.
Updated October 2026
Pancreatic Cancer: Understanding Tests and Treatment Decisions
Prepare for pancreatic-cancer consultations by understanding type, extent, resectability, genetic testing and supportive care.
Updated October 2026
Prostate Cancer: Understanding Grade, Stage, and Care Options
Understand prostate pathology, grade and stage, compare surveillance and treatment discussions, and prepare for care and follow-up.
Updated October 2026
Lung Cancer: Symptoms, Screening, and Understanding a Diagnosis
Distinguish lung symptoms from screening, understand scans and biopsy results, and prepare questions about cancer type and treatment.
Updated October 2026
Ovarian Cancer: Symptoms, Tests, and Next Steps
Understand ovarian-cancer evaluation, CA-125 and imaging limitations, inherited-risk questions and preparation for specialist care.
Updated October 2026
Testicular Cancer: Changes to Check, Diagnosis, and Fertility Questions
Know which testicular changes need assessment, understand the diagnostic pathway, and prepare treatment, fertility and follow-up questions.
Updated October 2026
How Cancer Spreads: Metastasis, Staging, and What the Terms Mean
Distinguish local growth, lymph-node involvement and distant spread, understand cancer naming, and prepare useful staging and treatment questions.
Treatment questions and interpreting evidence
Updated October 2026
Aspirin and Prostate Cancer: Understanding the Evidence
Separate prevention research from cancer treatment, interpret risk figures, and prepare an informed medication discussion.
Updated October 2026
Prostate Cancer Vaccines: Approved Treatment and Clinical Trials
Understand sipuleucel-T’s specific treatment role, the practical collection-and-infusion process, and how to evaluate a prostate cancer vaccine trial.
Updated October 2026
Radiofrequency Ablation for Cancer: Suitability, Goals, and Recovery
Understand what RFA treats, compare its role with other options, and prepare questions about procedural risks, recovery and follow-up imaging.
Art, Music, and Advocacy
Explore how people express an experience, share music and connect public attention with practical help. Each feature keeps historical events in context and offers choices for readers today.
Updated October 2026
Cancer and Creative Expression: Art, Stories, and Support
Explore a cancer-related painting, try an optional creative prompt, and understand personal expression, professional art therapy and sharing choices.
Updated October 2026
Melissa Etheridge, Breast Cancer, and the Return to the Stage
Follow Melissa Etheridge’s 2005 return to the stage, distinguish the television special and recordings, and explore music and breast-cancer advocacy.
Updated October 2026
Olivia Newton-John's Stronger Than Before: Music, Family, and Cancer Advocacy
Explore Olivia Newton-John’s Stronger Than Before through its poetry, guest voices and family connection, with context for its release and advocacy legacy.
Updated October 2026
Eva Longoria and Childhood Cancer Advocacy: Supporting Families
Understand Eva Longoria’s historical PADRES involvement and prepare practical questions about communication, travel, accommodation and family support.
Current reference sources and related guides
For current cancer information, use the National Cancer Institute’s cancer-type directory, its screening-test explanations and support and coping resources. Ask your care team which guidance applies to your history, diagnosis and location.
The Health guides cover broader questions about symptoms, tests and treatment choices.
Directory updated October 11, 2026. General education, arts and advocacy; individual care decisions depend on clinical assessment.