Translated Tool from NCCN Measures Mental Health "Temperature" of People with Cancer
PR84702
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --
The NCCN Distress Thermometer enables discussion and treatment of distress as
part of routine care for people with cancer. This free resource is now
translated into 46 languages for global accessibility.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network(R) (NCCN(R)) (
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2850551-1&h=438615950&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nccn.org%2F&a=NCCN
) —an alliance of leading cancer centers (
) in the United States—today announced the NCCN Distress Thermometer (
) has been translated into 46 languages (
). This free resource helps providers worldwide identify and address the
multifactorial aspects of distress cancer patients can experience.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1201669/NCCN_DistressThermometer.jpg
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/441768/NCCN_Logo.jpg
NCCN defines "distress" as an unpleasant experience of a mental, physical,
social, or spiritual nature that can affect the way people think, feel, or act.
Distress may make it harder to cope with having cancer, its symptoms, or its
treatment. Using a tool like the NCCN Distress Thermometer normalizes and
encourages discussion without any stigma that can cause some patients to avoid
talking about psychological or deeply personal issues.
"The NCCN Distress Thermometer acknowledges that undergoing treatment for
cancer is distressing for everybody. This simple chart gives patients an easy
way to let their doctor know how well they're coping," explained Robert W.
Carlson, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. "We've found that a score of four
or higher is an indication for further evaluation and possible intervention.
The thermometer includes a corresponding list of problems to help health care
providers determine if a patient's distress stems from practical problems,
family problems, emotional problems, spiritual/religious concerns, physical
problems, or a combination thereof."
The NCCN Distress Thermometer was first created in 1997 by psycho-oncology
pioneer Jimmie C. Holland, MD (
). The late Dr. Holland was Founding Chair of the NCCN Guidelines(R) (
) Panel for Distress Management (
) and Founding President of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society. Her
goal was to make discussion of distress a routine part of oncology patient
visits in order to improve both the psychosocial and physical well-being of
people with cancer.
"Managing a patient's emotional distress as well as physical pain is an
essential part of medical treatment," said Dr. Sonali Johnson, Head, Knowledge,
Advocacy and Policy, Union for International Cancer Control (
), the world's largest international cancer-fighting organization, also behind
World Cancer Day (
) held every February 4th. "Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to
anxiety and depression, as well as stress at work and at home, all of which can
affect their recovery and quality of life. The NCCN Distress Thermometer
provides patients and caregivers with a valuable tool in addressing the
psychological impact of illness."
The NCCN Distress Thermometer translations are part of ongoing efforts by the
NCCN Global Team to make NCCN Guidelines and derivative products more
accessible to non-English speakers. More than 100 new translations have
published this year alone, including clinical guidelines and patient-friendly
versions (
). NCCN also provides NCCN Framework for Resource Stratification of NCCN
Guidelines (NCCN Framework(TM)) (
) and NCCN Harmonized Guidelines(TM) (
) with optimal recommendations alongside pragmatic approaches to improve
treatment in resource-constrained settings, such as low- and middle-income
countries. Visit nccn.org/global (
) and join the conversation online with the hashtag #NCCNGlobal (
).
The translated NCCN Distress Thermometer can be found at
nccn.org/global/international_adaptations.aspx#distress (
). Recently-updated NCCN Guidelines for Patients(R): Distress (
) are also available at nccn.org/patients (
).
About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network(R) (NCCN(R)) (
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2850551-1&h=438615950&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nccn.org%2F&a=NCCN
) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers (
) devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to
improving and facilitating quality, effective, efficient, and accessible cancer
care so patients can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines
in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines(R)) (
) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus recommendations for
cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized
standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most
thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any
area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients(R) (
) provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients
and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation(R) (
). NCCN also advances continuing education (
), global initiatives (
), policy (
), and research collaboration (
) and publication (
) in oncology. Visit NCCN.org (
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2850551-1&h=4057010305&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nccn.org%2F&a=NCCN.org
) for more information and follow NCCN on Facebook @NCCNorg (
), Instagram @NCCNorg (
), and Twitter @NCCN (
).
Media Contact:
Rachel Darwin
267-622-6624
darwin@nccn.org
SOURCE National Comprehensive Cancer Network
本プレスリリースは発表元が入力した原稿をそのまま掲載しております。また、プレスリリースへのお問い合わせは発表元に直接お願いいたします。
このプレスリリースには、報道機関向けの情報があります。
プレス会員登録を行うと、広報担当者の連絡先や、イベント・記者会見の情報など、報道機関だけに公開する情報が閲覧できるようになります。
