Background: Contemporary cancer care considers psychological and social management as important as biomedical counterpart. Although considerable development has been achieved in these aspects, adequate recognition and assessment is not fully met. Objective: This study aims to (1) Screen for emotional distress in cancer patients attending at KAUH and (2) determine the associations between distress and demographic and clinical variables. Methodology: We conducted a survey of oncology clinic and admitted patients at an academic hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Patients completed the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Screening Tool and Problem List. Results: Data analysis showed no statistical significant association between high level of distress and age , gender, marital and employment status or the type of cancer. High level of distress was found among individual who admitted their need for support. Conclusion: Services to recognize and treat distress to all cancer patients regardless of their demographics or cancer type.