Last Modified: 06/14/2012
Changes to This Summary (06/14/2012)
The PDQ cancer information summaries are reviewed regularly and updated as new information becomes available. This section describes the latest changes made to this summary as of the date above.
Added Fashoyin-Aje et al. as reference 2.
Added text to state that although many screening instruments have been tested with cancer patients, the NCCN Distress Thermometer has been the most widely investigated.
Added text to state that pooled results from multiple studies suggest that approximately 40% of cancer patients report significant distress (cited Carlson et al. as reference 9). Also added text to state that patients with lung, pancreatic, and brain cancers seem more likely to report distress, but in general, type of cancer is only modestly associated with distress.
Added text to state that a successful transition from screening to assessment involves clear communication between the oncology team and the patient.
This summary is written and maintained by the PDQ Supportive and Palliative Care Editorial Board, which is editorially independent of NCI. The summary reflects an independent review of the literature and does not represent a policy statement of NCI or NIH. More information about summary policies and the role of the PDQ Editorial Boards in maintaining the PDQ summaries can be found on the About This PDQ Summary and PDQ NCI's Comprehensive Cancer Database pages.