The Psychosocial Screen for Cancer (PSSCAN): Further validation and normative data

Abstract

Background: We have previously reported on the development of a cancer-specific screening instrument for anxiety and depression (PSSCAN). No information on cut-off scores or their meaning for diagnosis was available when PSSCAN was first described. Needed were additional analyses to recommend empirically justified cut-off scores as well as data norms for healthy adult samples so as to lend meaning to the recommended cut-off scores.

Nutritional and psychosocial status of colorectal cancer patients referred to an outpatient oncology clinic

“…The psychological screening tool is the PSSCAN, a validated 21-item instrument that assesses perceived social support, desired social support, health-related quality of life, anxiety, and depression [16,27]. Only the scores for anxiety and depression were considered for this chart review as both have defined cutoff scores and implications for diagnosis [16].…”

“…Overall, these factors may impact on treatment outcome and survival [7][8][9][10][11][12]. Despite the evidence correlating psychological and nutritional status with patient outcomes, the implementation of routine psychological and nutritional screening for cancer patients is still a work in progress worldwide [5,[13][14][15][16].…”

Applications of cognitive-behavioral therapy in cancer treatment

“…Pacientes com diagnóstico de câncer apresentam uma tendência a maiores indicadores de depressão, quando comparados a uma população saudável (Linden, Vodermaier, McKenzie, Barroetavena, Yi & Doll, 2009). Como a depressão pode ser uma variável influente nos resultados do tratamento, deve ser precocemente avaliada e tratada (Snyderman & Wynn, 2009;Satin, Linden & Phillips, 2009).…”

Characterizing Distress, the 6th Vital Sign, in an Oncology Pain Clinic

“…Developed for screening in clinical practice and as a research tool, the Psychological Screen has been validated in two separate groups of cancer patients 23,24 . A cut-off score of 11 or more indicates high anxiety and distress.…”

“…The Psychological Screen for Cancer Part C of the Psychological Screen for Cancer 23,24 consists of 10 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale ("not at all" to "very much so") to measure anxiety and depression. Developed for screening in clinical practice and as a research tool, the Psychological Screen has been validated in two separate groups of cancer patients 23,24 .…”