Impact of psychological distress on outcomes in cancer patients

Cancer is a major health problem and is the second leading cause of death in the USA. A diagnosis of cancer and cancer treatments are stressful events that can cause moderate-to-severe levels of emotional distress among some patients. This article provides an overview of the effects of psychological distress on various facets of patients' lives, including quality of life, health behaviors and biological health outcomes. Studies investigating the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions designed to reduce distress and improve psychological adjustment are also reviewed. We discuss methodological and conceptual weaknesses in study designs that may limit interpretation of study findings. Finally, we highlight key question that remain to be addressed and propose several directions for future research efforts.