Consistent with previous research the close relationship between levels of distress and unmet needs is apparent in this study, with higher levels of unmet needs being associated with higher levels of distress. This can be seen in this study to be present despite the expected impact of poor family functioning and being female on distress levels. Of interest, when the OCNI is included in the model, there is no significant impact associated with any of the cancer variables, indicating that concerns associated with these variables are captured by the OCNI.