Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and a critical strategy in cancer control efforts is the education of Americans about steps they can take to prevent cancer, detect it early when treatment is most likely to be effective, and choose the best treatment plan. For nearly 30 years, the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service has been providing the latest and most accurate cancer information to patients, their families, health professionals, and the public. Through its network of regional offices and partnerships with nonprofit, private, and other government agencies, the CIS reaches people who do not traditionally seek health information. For those who do seek information, the CIS offers a toll-free telephone number (1-800-4-CANCER) and an instant messaging service (LiveHelp) on the NCI's Web site (http://www.cancer.gov/). The CIS also provides assistance to smokers through NCI’s Smoking Quitline at 1–877-44U-QUIT. You can learn more about CIS at http://www.cancer.gov/cis or by calling 1-800-4-CANCER.

The University of Hawaii Cancer Research Center of Hawaii is under contract with the National Cancer Institute (Contract No. HHSN261200511014C) to serve Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.