A free telephone hotline and e-mail service offering support to cancer patients, their families, loved ones and health care providers has been launched.

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre has set up the Cancer Information Service (CIS) with the Canadian Cancer Society to provide one-on-one advice on the disease and where to get treatment for it from trained specialists.

Deborah Titterton Narraway, marketing coordinator at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre (BCHC), said: "A diagnosis of cancer can be confusing and overwhelming for patients and their families.

"Options such as the Cancer Information Service offer a centralised resource for information and direct support to help patients and their health care providers manage this serious disease."

The charity has compiled a database of local cancer partners and support services so callers can get information such as which treatment options are available in Bermuda, where to find wigs, and contact details for care in the home.

Tara Soares, the centre's executive director, said: "The partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society allows Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre to provide people in Bermuda with current, fact-based cancer information."

BCHC's newly renovated cancer support centre on the ground floor of 46 Point Finger Road has a resource and lending library of cancer and health books, as well as computer terminals for internet research and a private meeting room where people can call the CIS hot line.

The hot line is on 232-2247 or visit www.ccis.bm. Phone calls can take as long as the caller needs and the caller can contact the service as often as they wish. The service is available Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.