Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides support for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
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At our National Cancer Information Center trained Cancer Information Specialists can answer questions 24 hours a day, every day of the year to empower you with accurate, up-to-date information to help you make educated health decisions. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with valuable services and resources.
Or ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
Referrals to patient-related programs or resources
Donations, website, or event-related assistance
Tobacco-related topics
Volunteer opportunities
Cancer Information
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
Bowel and Bladder Problems
Cancer and cancer treatment may cause bowel or bladder changes or problems such as diarrhea, constipation, incontinence, or retention. Learn why they might happen and what to expect if they do.
Constipation is the infrequent or difficult passage of hard stool, which often causes pain and discomfort. It's important to know why constipation might happen and how it can be managed.
Diarrhea is loose, watery bowel movements that might happen several times a day with or without discomfort. Since diarrhea can have many causes, there can be different ways to manage it.
Leaking or being unable to control urine or stool is called incontinence. It might happen to some people who have certain types of medical conditions, including cancer. Learn who might be at risk for incontinence and how to get help.
Being unable to completely empty the bladder is called urinary retention. People with certain types of tumors or who are taking certain medications or cancer treatments might have a higher risk for this. It's important to learn how urinary retention can be managed.