PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has expanded its cancer distress screening tool to more than 70 languages, a move aimed at improving access to psychological and supportive care assessments for patients worldwide as cancer providers place increasing emphasis on mental health and quality-of-life outcomes.
The organization said the latest version of its Distress Thermometer and Problem List is now available free of charge through its website for healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers.
The one-page screening tool uses a 0-to-10 scale to help identify mental, physical, social, practical, and spiritual concerns that may affect a patient’s ability to cope with cancer, its symptoms, or treatment.
The expansion reflects growing recognition within oncology that emotional and psychosocial challenges can influence treatment adherence, patient outcomes, and overall quality of care.
According to NCCN, the Distress Thermometer was downloaded nearly 7,000 times globally in 2025, with the highest usage reported in Germany, Brazil, India, China, and Switzerland.
The tool is a core component of the NCCN Guidelines for Distress Management, part of a broader library of evidence-based cancer care guidelines used by healthcare providers worldwide.
Recent research continues to support the screening tool’s international applicability. An abstract presented at the NCCN 2026 Annual Conference found the translated version to be an effective and culturally appropriate method for identifying psychological distress among Armenian-speaking cancer patients.
The findings build on earlier international research published in 2022 that evaluated the tool across 25 countries and found it to be an effective measure of patient distress.
NCCN Chief Executive Officer Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger said addressing emotional and practical concerns is an essential component of cancer treatment.
“High-quality cancer care means treating the entire person, identifying and addressing any practical or psychological concerns that come up,” Denlinger said.
The multilingual expansion is part of NCCN’s broader effort to increase access to cancer care resources internationally. The organization currently maintains more than 90 global adaptations of its clinical guidelines and more than 180 translations, with nearly half of registered NCCN.org users located outside the United States.
The Distress Thermometer and related educational materials are available free of charge at NCCN.org/distress-thermometer.
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