# NCI PDQ Cancer Information Summaries

Source: https://onco.cc/collections/cancer-gov-pdq/  
OnCo record `cancer-gov-pdq` (Collection). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

The NCI's PDQ summaries are the most reliable free, plain-language explanation of each cancer's treatment.

## Summary

The NCI PDQ Cancer Information Summaries are peer-reviewed, regularly updated summaries of treatment, screening and genetics for every cancer, each in a health-professional version and a plain-language patient version. They are the most reliable free explanation of each cancer's treatment, written and maintained by NCI editorial boards, published in English and Spanish, released as public domain, and used as the basis for many patient-facing sites. On OnCo they are cited by the bottlenecks Knowledge reaches practice too slowly, Patients lack understanding, navigation and agency and Misinformation and unproven therapies, by the idea A plain-language explainer for every guideline recommendation, in every major language, and by the collection American Cancer Society (ACS).

## Fields

- Kind: Collection
- Last checked: 2026-09-04
- URL: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/pdq
- Holds: Peer-reviewed, regularly updated summaries on treatment, screening, and genetics for every cancer, in health-professional and patient versions.
- Licence: Public domain

## Sources

- NCI PDQ Cancer Information Summaries: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/pdq

## Connected records

- institutions: [National Cancer Institute (NIH)](https://onco.cc/institutions/nci/)
- bottlenecks: [Knowledge reaches practice too slowly](https://onco.cc/bottlenecks/b-knowledge-diffusion/), [Misinformation and unproven therapies](https://onco.cc/bottlenecks/b-misinformation/), [Patients lack understanding, navigation and agency](https://onco.cc/bottlenecks/b-patient-voice/)
- ideas: [A plain-language explainer for every guideline recommendation, in every major language](https://onco.cc/ideas/idea-data-patient-explainers-per-recommendation/)
- collections: [American Cancer Society (ACS)](https://onco.cc/collections/american-cancer-society/), [NCI Cancer Information Service](https://onco.cc/collections/nci-cancer-information-service/)

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JSON: https://onco.cc/api/v1/entities/cancer-gov-pdq.json