Emotional problem‐related distress screening and its prevalence by cancer type: Assessment by patients' characteristics and level of assistance requested

Abstract

Objective Emotional problem‐related distress is a common issue faced by patients with cancer. However, patients suffering with this emotional burden do not typically seek assistance. This study sought to determine the prevalence of emotional problem‐related distress by cancer type, and identify factors correlated with the level of assistance requested. Methods Using the SupportScreen®, patients were screened for emotional problem‐related distress at their first or second visit to an NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. General Linear Model was used to test the association between emotional problem‐related distress and type of cancer, and the relationship between level of assistance requested and patients' characteristics. Results A total of 2,421 patients were included in this analysis. Patients were mostly female (62%), diagnosed with breast (24%), gynecological (16%) or gastrointestinal (15%) cancers. Highest levels of emotional problem‐related distress were reported by patients diagnosed with lung, gynecological, breast and gastrointestinal cancers. Level of assistance requested were significantly associated with problem‐related distress scores (p < 0.001), which were higher among patients with lower household incomes (p < 0.001) and Spanish as primary language (p = 0.001). Conclusion Our study found an association between Level of assistance requested and emotional problem‐related distress, which were heightened by lower income and Spanish‐speaking. Intervention strategies should be considered to increase access to psychosocial support services.

Symptom burden, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life in cancer survivors with pelvic late radiation tissue injuries

“…However, studies of psychological distress in survivors with pelvic LRTIs are very limited. Bergerot et al [ 19 ] showed that patients with gynaecological and gastrointestinal cancers are in general at higher risk of psychological distress. Adams et al [ 2 ] found that more severe pelvic LRTI symptoms across cancer types were associated with higher rates of depression but not with higher rates of anxiety.…”

Identification of Cognitive Strategies Used by Cancer Patients as a Basis for Psychological Self-Support during Oncological Therapy

“…However, the level of emotional distress is individual. Patients diagnosed with lung, gynecological, breast and gastrointestinal cancer more often suffered with emotional problem-related distress in comparison with prostate and hematological cancer patients [ 23 ]. The level of emotional distress is the highest in the case of lung cancer patients and it was shown by 43% of patients [ 24 ].…”

“…The level of emotional distress is the highest in the case of lung cancer patients and it was shown by 43% of patients [ 24 ]. Younger age and lower incomes are associated with greater emotional distress faced by patients [ 3 , 23 ]. Morrison et al [ 3 ] reported that women, the employed, current smokers and patients in more advanced lung cancer stages experienced emotional problems at a significantly higher rate.…”

“…Individual tailored strategies for coping with cancer-related problems and negative mood are very important for cancer patients. Bergerot et al [ 23 ] showed a positive correlation between level of distress and cancer patients’ need of psychological support. Therefore, emotional distress screening is really important to identify unmet patients’ needs.…”

Dominant restitution narratives of ‘being lucky’: An ethnographic exploration of narratives about operable lung cancer

“…However, research shows that lung cancer surgery is associated with physical and psychosocial challenges; lung cancer patients have one of the highest levels of emotional distress among all cancer types (Bergerot et al, 2021; Carlson et al, 2019). In lung cancer surgery patients, pain, lack of energy, shortness of breath, drowsiness and worrying increased significantly in the first month after surgery and then decreased over time (Oksholm et al, 2015), indicating that the time around surgery is a particularly difficult period.…”