Projects
Opal
Opal is a smartphone app to help you learn about your condition and manage your appointments.
Distress screening
Distress is an emotional state that can affect your quality of life. It can include feelings of sadness, worry, anger, and more. These feelings are often caused by concerns related to your illness and/or physical side effects from your treatment. Distress is recognized as the "sixth vital sign" by several health organizations.
Screening for distress is an ongoing clinical project at the Cedars Cancer Centre. A staff member may offer you distress screening at your first appointment or at another point during your cancer treatment.
Distress screening involves a few short questionnaires. At the Cedars Cancer Centre, we use the following tools:
- Revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r)
- Distress Thermometer
- Canadian Problem Checklist (CPC)
These questionnaires can help you and your healthcare team monitor any changes and/or trends in your physical and psychological symptoms, as well as identify any practical or emotional needs that should be addressed.
Based on the symptoms and needs identified through screening, we can offer you supportive services, including:
- educational materials
- symptom management tips
- emotional support
- referrals to health professionals (social workers, psychologists, dietitians, etc.)
If you take part in the screening, your responses will remain confidential and will only be used by your healthcare team so they can provide you with appropriate care and resources.
Please note: Distress screening does not replace medical care, professional consultation, diagnosis, treatment or any other related healthcare service.
