KHCC offers a free Cancer Information Hotline, 0800-22662, to its cancer patients, their families, friends, health professionals and the general public. This number can be dialed for free, from any land-line phone from anywhere in the country. A specially trained, professionally supervised nurse answers the calls from 8a.m. until 5p.m weekdays (Sat-Wed). An answering machine records calls after 5p.m and on weekends. Any calls made during that time period will be returned by the nurse on the following work day.

While the nurse answers cancer-related questions, she also records information about the caller including

1. how they found out about the hotline
2. where they are from
3. his/her gender
4. and his/her age. Questions and answers between the caller and nurse are also reported.

The data is then analyzed on a monthly basis. Information obtained from such data is helpful in determining under-serviced regions and most frequently asked questions. In addition, the line often gives psychological and emotional support, since the caller’s identity is confidential. Callers usually feel comfortable enough to talk easily about the disease and its effect on their lives. Many times, callers end up feeling a sense of relief upon ending the conversation and are likely to repeat the experience by calling again.