title: Evaluation of a screening programme for psychological distress in cancer survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study is aimed at evaluating the feasibility of a screening procedure for psychological distress in cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive series of 339 cancer patients from three centres were requested to fill in two questionnaires measuring psychological distress (PDI) and social support (MOSS). Psychological intervention was offered to patients with significant degree of distress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients accepted to be screened (72.0%; n = 244), and a subgroup (16.0%) showed high psychological distress. A higher ratio of distressed patients was observed among those with lower social support (P = 0.017). A significant (P < 0.01) negative correlation between psychological distress and social support was observed. A psychological intervention was offered to patients with high psychological distress, but only 15.6% completed it.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from this study provide both some insights into the characteristics of psychological distress and some input on issues that may arise when implementing a screening procedure for psychological distress in cancer survivors. Further research is needed to assess both the clinical significance of distress and the most appropriate tools to carry out screening procedures within the target population.
authors.affiliation: Psycho-Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Institute, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morasso
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Leo
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Decensi
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beccaro
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berretta
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bongiorno
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cosimelli
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Finelli
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rondanina
authors.forename: Wissya
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Santoni
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stigliano
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Costantini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult