Distress Screening Program for Cancer

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Francesca Gany, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a distress screening and referral program can assist cancer patients experiencing emotional stress. The program uses the NCCN Distress Thermometer to assess patient distress levels and connects them with mental health support if necessary. The study targets patients recently diagnosed with a new solid tumor and receiving treatment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. It welcomes English and Spanish speakers who believe they might benefit from additional mental health support. As an unphased trial, this study provides patients the opportunity to access potentially beneficial mental health support tailored to their needs.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial team or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this distress screening program is safe for cancer patients?

Research has shown that the NCCN Distress Thermometer reliably measures distress in cancer patients. It uses a simple 0 to 10 scale to assess distress levels. Many studies have proven its effectiveness in real-life medical settings, and it is recommended for use when patients first receive a cancer diagnosis.

The tool is non-invasive, involving no physical procedures, and serves to understand a patient's emotional state. As a screening tool, it carries no side effects or risks, making it a safe option for identifying distress and ensuring patients receive necessary mental health support. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the NCCN Distress Thermometer because it offers a novel way to address the emotional well-being of cancer patients, which is often overlooked. Unlike traditional cancer treatments that focus solely on the physical aspects of the disease, this tool helps identify and quantify the level of psychological distress a patient might be experiencing. By providing a quick and easy screening method for emotional distress, healthcare providers can offer timely support and interventions, potentially improving the overall quality of life for patients with a new solid tumor diagnosis.

What evidence suggests that the NCCN Distress Thermometer is effective for distress screening in cancer patients?

Research shows that the NCCN Distress Thermometer effectively measures the distress levels of cancer patients. It uses a simple 0 to 10 scale to assess a patient's distress. Studies have found it works well for many patients, making it a valuable tool in medical settings. Although it may not always be perfectly accurate, it helps identify patients who might need mental health support. This tool is particularly helpful because it quickly highlights patients who could benefit from additional mental health services. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Devika Jutagir, PhD

Principal Investigator

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for people who have been recently diagnosed with cancer. It aims to include a diverse group of participants, including both English and Spanish speakers.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to provide consent (per completion of consent)

I prefer to receive healthcare information in English or Spanish.

Treated or will be treated at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center (per EMR)

Exclusion Criteria

My doctor thinks I am not mentally fit to participate in the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Distress Screening and Referral

Participants are screened for psychosocial distress and referred to mental health services if distress levels are high

3 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for referral outcomes and mental health service engagement

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• NCCN Distress Thermometer

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of a distress screening and referral program using the NCCN Distress Thermometer to identify patients in need of mental health services.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Participants with a New Solid Tumor Diagnosis Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will have a new solid tumor cancer diagnosis.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,998

Recruited

602,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6750919/

Use of the Distress Thermometer in Clinical Practice - PMC The NCCN DT is a single-item tool using a 0 (no distress) to 10 (extreme distress)–point Likert scale resembling a thermometer. The patient rates his/her level ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1879406825000372

Evaluation of the Distress Thermometer in older patients ... A sensitivity of 66 % indicates a poor to fair ability to screen for depression in an older patient with cancer based on their DT score. Of note ...

3. nccn.org nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/distress-patient.pdf

Distress During Cancer Care It has been shown in many studies to work well. The Distress Thermometer measures distress on a 0 to 10 scale.

4. jnccn.org jnccn.org/abstract/journals/jnccn/21/5/article-p450.xml

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Distress Management ... These NCCN Guidelines for Distress Management discuss the identification and treatment of psychosocial problems in patients with cancer.

5. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-025-09473-y

Use of NCCN distress thermometer in cancer genetics ... Findings from this study show that the DT can assist in identifying patients undergoing cancer genetic counseling who are experiencing high distress.

6. nccn.org nccn.org/docs/default-source/patient-resources/nccn_distress_thermometer.pdf

NCCN Guidelines Version 1.2025 Distress Management Instructions: Please circle the number (0–10) that best describes how much distress you have been experiencing in the past week, including today ...

7. apos-society.org apos-society.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/distress-2024.pdf

Distress Management • Various distress screening tools have been developed, including the NCCN Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DIS-A). The cancer committee.

8. accc-cancer.org accc-cancer.org/docs/projects/psychosocial-distress-screening/nccn-distress_5-6-2019.pdf?sfvrsn=882ba01_2

Distress Management • Various distress screening tools have been developed, including the NCCN Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DIS-A). The cancer committee.