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NCCN Reaffirms Commitment to Cancer Support During Mental Health Awareness Month

In a significant announcement, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), an alliance of leading cancer centers, has declared its unwavering commitment to providing critical support resources worldwide, particularly during May, which marks Mental Health Awareness Month. The NCCN aims to shine a light on how mental and emotional wellness impacts cancer patients, ensuring they receive comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of their well-being.

The NCCN has made the latest version of its Distress Thermometer and Problem List accessible to providers and patients alike in over 70 languages. This validated screening tool quickly assesses patients’ emotional, physical, social, and spiritual struggles that may complicate their cancer treatment experience. Healthcare providers can utilize this one-page resource effectively, streamlining the process of identifying patients in distress and offering necessary interventions.

Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, and the NCCN's executive director, stated on this initiative: “Mental Health Awareness Month serves as an essential reminder of how socio-emotional well-being can affect individuals battling cancer. Quality cancer care involves treating the whole person, recognizing and addressing practical or psychological challenges as they emerge.” This dedication to adapting resources reflects NCCN’s commitment to making healthcare more accessible, especially to diverse populations.

The Distress Thermometer has seen a remarkable uptake, with close to 7,000 downloads reported globally in 2025, notably from countries such as Germany, Brazil, India, China, and Switzerland. Such statistics highlight the worldwide need for effective mental health screening tools in oncology settings. Moreover, recent research presented at the 2026 NCCN Annual Conference confirmed that the translated version of the NCCN Distress Thermometer is a valuable and culturally appropriate tool for identifying psychological distress among Armenian-speaking patients, thereby advocating for its integration into better patient care strategies.

A comprehensive study conducted across 25 countries, published in the journal Psycho-Oncology in 2022, further validated the effectiveness of the NCCN Distress Thermometer. Not only is the Distress Thermometer pivotal in clinical recommendations for managing distress as outlined in the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines, but it also forms part of a broader library of expert consensus recommendations managed by over 2,000 multidisciplinary specialists covering a wide array of cancer types and supportive care topics such as pain management, fatigue, smoking cessation, and survivorship.

With over 90 global adaptations of NCCN guidelines and more than 180 language translations, nearly half of NCCN.org’s registered users are based outside the United States. This effort showcases a commitment to improving cancer care on an international scale. To find out more about the various resources available from the NCCN for enhancing international cancer care, one may visit NCCN.org/global.

About NCCN

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is a nonprofit organization comprising leading cancer centers dedicated to patient care, research, and education. NCCN remains steadfast in defining and promoting quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care and prevention so that everyone can lead healthier lives. Its clinical practice guidelines are recognized as the standard for clinical direction and principles in cancer treatment, often serving as the most thorough and frequently updated guidelines available in any area of medicine. NCCN’s patient guidelines empower patients and caregivers with clear, expert information on cancer treatment options.

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