Validation of the Spanish Version of a Psychosocial Needs Assessment Questionnaire for Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer (AYA-POST)

This prospective multicenter study aims to validate the Spanish version of the Distress Thermometer and accompanying list of psychosocial needs specifically adapted for adolescents and young adults (AYA) aged 15 to 25 who are diagnosed with cancer.

These tools, firstly developed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and then specifically adapted for AYA by Canteen Australia and validated in English-speaking countries, are widely used around the world to quickly identify emotional distress and unmet practical or social needs in cancer patients, helpting to detect their emotional distress and support needs, which can differ significantly from those of children or older adults.

By validating these screening tools in Spanish and comparing their performance with the well-established Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), this study seeks to confirm whether they can reliably identify young patients who may be experiencing psychosocial difficulties.

Once validated, these tools can be easily integrated into clinical practice in Spanish-speaking countries, helping healthcare teams quickly identify vulnerable young patients, respond to their emotional needs earlier, and improve the overall quality of care.

The results will also highlight which psychosocial needs are most common in AYA cancer patients, supporting the development of future programs and services tailored to this population.