Distress Management, Version 3.2019, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

• Published in: Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Vol. 17; no. 10; p. 1229
• Main Authors: Riba, Michelle B, Donovan, Kristine A, Andersen, Barbara, Braun, IIana, Breitbart, William S, Brewer, Benjamin W, Buchmann, Luke O, Clark, Matthew M, Collins, Molly, Corbett, Cheyenne, Fleishman, Stewart, Garcia, Sofia, Greenberg, Donna B, Handzo, Rev George F, Hoofring, Laura, Huang, Chao-Hui, Lally, Robin, Martin, Sara, McGuffey, Lisa, Mitchell, William, Morrison, Laura J, Pailler, Megan, Palesh, Oxana, Parnes, Francine, Pazar, Janice P, Ralston, Laurel, Salman, Jaroslava, Shannon-Dudley, Moreen M, Valentine, Alan D, McMillian, Nicole R, Darlow, Susan D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-10-2019
• Subjects: Female; Humans; Male; Medical Oncology; Psychological Distress
• ISSN: 1540-1413
• DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2019.0048

Distress is defined in the NCCN Guidelines for Distress Management as a multifactorial, unpleasant experience of a psychologic (ie, cognitive, behavioral, emotional), social, spiritual, and/or physical nature that may interfere with the ability to cope effectively with cancer, its physical symptoms, and its treatment. Early evaluation and screening for distress leads to early and timely management of psychologic distress, which in turn improves medical management. The panel for the Distress Management Guidelines recently added a new principles section including guidance on implementation of standards of psychosocial care for patients with cancer.