National Cancer Institute
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Health Services & Economics Branch
Cancer Control and Population Sciences

Privacy Policy & Disclaimers

Privacy Policy

The Applied Research Program (ARP) respects the privacy of visitors to our Web site. We collect a limited amount of information on usage of the Web site for statistical purposes, in order to measure the number of visitors to the various sections of our site and to help us make our site more useful to visitors. Federal government Web sites are generally prohibited from using persistent cookies and this site does not employ them.

The US Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Cancer Institute, of which ARP is a part, do not disclose, give, sell, or transfer any personal information about your visit unless required by law to do so.

When inquiries are mailed to us, we store the question and the e-mail address information so that we can respond electronically. Unless otherwise required by statute, we do not identify anyone who sends questions or comments to our Web site. We will not obtain any information that will allow us to personally identify you when you visit our site, unless you chose to provide such information to us.

Use of Analytic Tools to Collect Information

When you browse through any Web site, certain information about your visit can be collected. ARP uses analytics tools to collect information automatically and continuously. We use this information to measure the number of visitors to our Web sites and their various sections, and to distinguish between new and returning visitors, to help make our sites more useful to visitors. No personally identifiable information (PII) is collected via these tools.

The ARP staff conducts analyses and reports on the aggregated data from these analytics tools. The reports are only available to ARP Web site managers, members of their communications and Web teams, and other designated staff who require this information to perform their duties. ARP retains the data from analytics tools only as long as required by law or needed to support the mission of the ARP Web site.

How ARP Uses Cookies

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memo M-10-22, Guidance for Online Use of Web Measurement and Customization Technologies allows Federal agencies to use session and persistent cookies.

When you visit any Web site, its server may generate a piece of text known as a "cookie" to place on your computer. The cookie allows the server to "remember" specific information about your visit while you are connected. The cookie makes it easier for you to use the dynamic features of Web pages. Requests to send cookies from ARP's Web pages are designed to collect information about your browser session only; they do not collect personal information about you.

There are two types of cookies, single-session (temporary) and multi-session (persistent). Session cookies last only as long as your Web browser is open. Once you close your browser, the cookie disappears. Persistent cookies are stored on your computer for longer periods.

How are temporary "Session Cookies" used?

We use session cookies for technical purposes such as improving navigation through our site. These cookies let our server know that you are continuing a visit to our site. The "session" cookie is not permanently stored on your computer. The cookie and the information about your visit are automatically destroyed shortly after you close your browser to end the session.

The OMB Memo 10-22 Guidance defines our use of session cookies as "Usage Tier 1-Single Session." The policy says, "This tier encompasses any use of single session web measurement and customization technologies."

How are "Persistent Cookies" used?

The OMB Memo M-10-22, Guidance for Online Use of Web Measurement and Customization Technologies allows Federal agencies to use persistent cookies in addition to temporary session cookies.

We use persistent cookies to help us recognize new and returning visitors to the ARP Web sites. Persistent cookies remain on your computer between visits to the ARP Web sites until they expire. We do not use this technology to identify you or any other individual site visitor. ARP uses persistent cookies to enable analytics tools to measure how new and returning visitors use the ARP Web sites over time.

The OMB Memo 10-22 Guidance defines our use of persistent cookies as "Usage Tier 2 - Multi-session without Personally Identifiable Information (PII)." The policy says, "This tier encompasses any use of multi-session web measurement and customization technologies when no PII is collected."

How to opt out or disable cookies

If you do not wish to have session or persistent cookies placed on your computer, you can disable them using your Web browser. If you opt out of cookies, you will still have access to all information and resources the ARP Web sites provide.

Instructions for disabling or opting out of cookies in the most popular browsers are located at http://www.usa.gov/optout_instructions.shtml. Please note that by following the instructions to opt out of cookies, you will disable cookies from all sources, not just those from ARP's Web sites.

Healthservices.cancer.gov has links to many other Web sites, including some sites which are maintained by non-governmental organizations or private companies. The ARP is not responsible for the contents of any "off-site" Web page referenced from this server. Specifically:

  • The ARP cannot guarantee the privacy or security of information you provide to these other Web sites. You should review their privacy policies as well if you have concerns.
  • The ARP cannot guarantee that external Web sites comply with Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act.
  • Reference in this Web site to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the US Government or the ARP.

Information Disclaimer

The information provided using this Web site is only intended to be general summary information to the public. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations.

Intrusion Detection

This site is maintained by the US Government. It is protected by various provisions of Title 18, US Code. Violations of Title 18 are subject to criminal prosecution in federal court.

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, we employ software programs to monitor traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. In the event of authorized law enforcement investigations, and pursuant to any required legal process, information from these sources may be used to help identify an individual.


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Last modified:
22 Mar 2012
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