NCI Fact Sheets

A fact sheet that describes cancer-fighting agents that block the growth of blood vessels that support tumor growth.

A fact sheet that describes breast reconstruction after mastectomy, including surgical options, follow-up care, and breast cancer screening after reconstruction.

A fact sheet that describes hormone therapy (including antiestrogens, LH-RH agonists, aromatase inhibitors, and SERMs) and its role in preventing and treating breast cancer. Includes information about possible side effects.

A fact sheet that describes hormone therapy and its role in treating prostate cancer. Includes information about the different types of hormone therapy, how they are used, and possible side effects.

A fact sheet that describes the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) procedure, its use in determining the extent, or stage, of cancer in the body, and the results of research on the use of SLNB in breast cancer and melanoma.

A fact sheet that describes mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy, two risk-reducing surgeries that may be used to reduce the risks of breast and ovarian cancers in people at very high risk; the situations in which they may be considered; and nonsurgical options.

A fact sheet about the diagnosis and treatment of cancers that develop in the bones.

A fact sheet that provides statistics about childhood and adolescent cancers in the United States, and discusses the types, causes, and treatment of these cancers.

A fact sheet about the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and rehabilitation for cancers of the head and neck.

A fact sheet about the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), an uncommon type of cancer in which the breast becomes red, swollen, and warm.

A fact sheet about Paget disease of the breast, a rare type of cancer that is sometimes called Paget disease of the nipple or mammary Paget disease.

A fact sheet that describes the CT scan procedure and technology and its uses in diagnosis, screening, and treatment.

A fact sheet that defines screening and diagnostic mammograms; discusses the benefits and potential harms of screening mammography; and summarizes how findings, including breast density, are reported.

A fact sheet that describes the type of information that may be found in a surgical pathology report, the medical report about a piece of tissue removed from your body that is used to help diagnose and stage cancer. Learn more about this report and the information it contains.

A fact sheet that describes the PSA screening test for prostate cancer and explains the benefits and limitations of the test.

A fact sheet that describes the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) procedure, its use in determining the extent, or stage, of cancer in the body, and the results of research on the use of SLNB in breast cancer and melanoma.

A fact sheet that discusses the tests used to screen people for colorectal cancer and key features of the different tests to consider when choosing one.

A fact sheet that defines tumor markers and describes how they can be used to aid diagnosis and treatment.

A fact sheet that reviews research about a possible connection between acrylamide and cancer risk. Acrylamide is a chemical that has been found in certain foods, with especially high levels in potato chips, French fries, and other foods produced by high-temperature cooking.

A fact sheet that summarizes the evidence linking alcohol consumption to the risk of various cancers. Includes information about factors that affect the risk of alcohol-associated cancers, such as a person’s genes and tobacco use.

A fact sheet about antioxidants, substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical damage may lead to cancer.

A fact sheet that reviews research studies on the possible connection between artificial sweeteners and cancer.

A fact sheet that explains how certain chemicals are formed in meat that is cooked using high-temperature methods, such as pan frying or grilling, and describes the results of research on the relationship between consumption of these chemicals and cancer risk.

A fact sheet that summarizes the results of studies about cruciferous vegetables and cancer. It includes a list of cruciferous vegetables and outlines dietary recommendations for vegetables.

A fact sheet that reviews research about the possibility of a connection between fluoridated water and cancer.

A fact sheet that summarizes the evidence linking overweight and obesity to the risk of various cancers and discusses how obesity affects cancer survivors.

A fact sheet summarizing studies looking at links between someone’s vitamin D level or vitamin D supplement use and their risk of developing or dying from cancer. It includes information about dietary recommendations for vitamin D.

A fact sheet about antioxidants, substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical damage may lead to cancer.

A fact sheet that summarizes the results of studies about cruciferous vegetables and cancer. It includes a list of cruciferous vegetables and outlines dietary recommendations for vegetables.

A fact sheet about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines for the prevention of infection with certain types of HPV, which is the major cause of cervical cancer.

A fact sheet that summarizes evidence linking physical activity (including exercise) to reduced cancer risk and sedentary behavior (including prolonged sitting) to increased cancer risk.

A fact sheet that describes mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy, two risk-reducing surgeries that may be used to reduce the risks of breast and ovarian cancers in people at very high risk; the situations in which they may be considered; and nonsurgical options.

A fact sheet summarizing studies looking at links between someone’s vitamin D level or vitamin D supplement use and their risk of developing or dying from cancer. It includes information about dietary recommendations for vitamin D.

A fact sheet that answers questions about the health effects of smoking "low-tar," "mild," or "light" cigarettes.

A fact sheet about cancer risks associated with accidents at nuclear power plants. Includes information about the health hazards of exposure, how people are exposed, and what cancer patients can do if they live in an area that may be affected by a nuclear power plant accident. Also contains links to information about NCI-supported research on ionizing radiation and cancer risk.

A fact sheet that reviews research about a possible connection between acrylamide and cancer risk. Acrylamide is a chemical that has been found in certain foods, with especially high levels in potato chips, French fries, and other foods produced by high-temperature cooking.

A fact sheet that summarizes the evidence linking alcohol consumption to the risk of various cancers. Includes information about factors that affect the risk of alcohol-associated cancers, such as a person’s genes and tobacco use.

A fact sheet describing studies on whether there is a link between underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and breast cancer.

A fact sheet that reviews research studies on the possible connection between artificial sweeteners and cancer.

A fact sheet about asbestos, the health hazards of asbestos exposure (including mesothelioma), and who's at risk for an asbestos-related disease.

A fact sheet about the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, how BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations (changes) affect a person's risk of cancer, genetic testing for cancer risk, interpreting test results, and the benefits and risks of genetic testing.

A fact sheet that provides statistics about a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer and information about breast cancer risk factors.

A fact sheet that describes what constitutes a cancer cluster, the process for reporting and investigating suspected clusters, and the challenges in investigating suspected clusters.

A fact sheet that outlines the available evidence regarding use of cellular/mobile telephones and cancer risk.

A fact sheet that explains how certain chemicals are formed in meat that is cooked using high-temperature methods, such as pan frying or grilling, and describes the results of research on the relationship between consumption of these chemicals and cancer risk.

A fact sheet about the health risks associated with cigar smoking.

A fact sheet about moles and how some moles may be related to melanoma, which is the most serious type of skin cancer. The fact sheet lists the differences between moles, dysplastic nevi, and melanoma skin cancer, includes photos of each, and discusses factors that increase the risk of melanoma.

A fact sheet about the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol), a synthetic form of estrogen, and the health issues, including cancer risks, of people prenatally exposed to it. Provides information on follow up for DES-exposed individuals, current research on DES exposure, and additional resources for people exposed to DES while pregnant or prenatally.

A fact sheet about research on electric and magnetic fields and studies examining their potential connection with cancer.

A fact sheet that reviews research about the possibility of a connection between fluoridated water and cancer.

A fact sheet that discusses formaldehyde and its possible association with cancer. Includes resources for more information.

A fact sheet about genetic testing for inherited cancer risk, including who should consider testing, how to understand test results, and who has access to a person’s test results. Also contains information about at-home, or direct-to-consumer, genetic tests.

A fact sheet that reviews research about the possibility of a connection between the use of hair dyes and hair straighteners or relaxers and cancer.

A fact sheet that lists some of the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke and describes the health problems caused by cigarette smoking and the benefits of quitting.

A fact sheet about the relationship between chronic H. pylori infection and the risk of stomach cancer, gastric MALT lymphoma, and other cancers. Also discusses factors that increase the likelihood that H. pylori infections will be harmful and the cancer risks after treatment to eradicate H. pylori infection.

A fact sheet that describes the increased risk of certain types of cancer by people infected with HIV. These cancers include Kaposi sarcoma, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cancers of the anus, cervix, liver, and lung. Also describes what people with HIV infection can do to lower their risk of cancer or find cancer early.

A fact sheet about the results of research on menopausal hormone therapy. Includes information about the effect of menopausal hormone therapy on the body. Also outlines the benefits and risks of using menopausal hormones.

A fact sheet that summarizes the evidence linking overweight and obesity to the risk of various cancers and discusses how obesity affects cancer survivors.

A fact sheet about research on the association of oral contraceptive use with risk of various cancers.

A fact sheet that describes how the body responds to stress and summarizes studies examining the relationship between chronic stress and cancer. It includes information about the possible effects of chronic stress on people with cancer, and how people with cancer can learn to cope with stress.

A fact sheet about radon, an odorless radioactive gas, and its possible association with cancer, and how to test for radon in the home.

A fact sheet that describes what is known about the relationship between pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, fertility treatment, and the risks of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.

A fact sheet that summarizes the studies on the health effects of exposure to environmental (secondhand) tobacco smoke.

A fact sheet about the health risks associated with the use of smokeless tobacco.

A fact sheet that answers some of the questions patients, their family members, and caregivers may have about the end of life.

A fact sheet that describes the role of palliative care, which is care meant to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as cancer, from the time of diagnosis and throughout the course of illness.

A fact sheet that describes how the body responds to stress and summarizes studies examining the relationship between chronic stress and cancer. It includes information about the possible effects of chronic stress on people with cancer, and how people with cancer can learn to cope with stress.

A fact sheet that answers questions about the health effects of smoking "low-tar," "mild," or "light" cigarettes.

A fact sheet about the health risks associated with cigar smoking.

A fact sheet that lists some of the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke and describes the health problems caused by cigarette smoking and the benefits of quitting.

A fact sheet with helpful tips for reducing nicotine cravings and managing withdrawal symptoms when quitting tobacco. Discusses triggers for using tobacco, how to avoid them, and where to get help to cope with nicotine withdrawal or triggers.

A fact sheet that summarizes the studies on the health effects of exposure to environmental (secondhand) tobacco smoke.

A fact sheet about the health risks associated with the use of smokeless tobacco.

A fact sheet that provides information about helpful resources for people who have decided to quit smoking.