A recent study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual conference in the United States has revealed that more than half of cancer patients experience significant emotional distress at the time of diagnosis and during treatment. The research, conducted by MOC Cancer Care centres across western India, underscores the potential of counselling and supportive care to improve patient well-being.
Study Overview and Methodology
The multicentric study evaluated 2,273 adult cancer patients between April and December 2025. Researchers employed the NCCN Distress Thermometer, a globally recognised screening tool that measures emotional and psychological distress on a scale from 0 to 10. This tool is widely used to identify patients who may benefit from additional psychological support.
Key Findings on Distress Levels
During the initial assessment, approximately 57% of patients were classified in the 'high distress' category. The average distress score at diagnosis was 5.2 out of 10. Dr Pradip Kendre from MOC Cancer Care's Malad and Borivali centres noted that patients younger than 60 years of age and those with advanced stage IV cancers reported the greatest emotional burden. Common concerns included pain, fatigue, anxiety, financial stress, and difficulties with self-care.
Comparison with Previous Research
The findings align with earlier research in India. In the October 2024 edition of the Indian Journal of Cancer, doctors from the Malabar Cancer Centre in Thalassery, Kerala, reported that 39.9% of 348 patients had clinically significant distress during new patient counselling. Among those, 47.5% attributed distress to psychosocial reasons, 25.9% to both physical and psychosocial factors, and 26.6% to physical reasons alone.
Impact of Counselling and Supportive Interventions
Follow-up assessments at MOC Cancer Care centres after counselling and supportive interventions showed marked improvement. The average distress score decreased to 3.5, representing a statistically significant 30% reduction. Nearly half of all patients reported an improvement in their emotional well-being, while 42.8% remained stable and only 6.5% experienced worsening distress.
Broader Supportive Oncology Programme
The study was part of a comprehensive supportive oncology programme that assessed nutrition, mental health, and quality of life among cancer patients. Researchers found that nearly 45% of patients were malnourished at diagnosis. However, quality-of-life scores improved substantially following structured supportive care.
Implications for Cancer Care in India
The study highlights an often-overlooked aspect of cancer care in India, where treatment traditionally focuses on surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, with less attention to psychological well-being. Dr Prakash Devde of MOC Cancer Care from Sambhajinagar emphasised that cancer care extends beyond medicines. Simple interventions such as nutrition assessment, emotional distress screening, counselling, and quality-of-life monitoring can meaningfully improve how patients tolerate treatment, function in daily life, and experience their cancer journey. The findings support the growing view that supportive oncology care should become a routine standard in Indian cancer treatment, just like blood tests, scans, and chemotherapy protocols.
