Miriam Johnson, MD gives an overview of a session at at the 2015 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference, that focuses on the importance of providing GPs and oncologists with a tool that can help them systematically assess the patient and carer needs. These needs can range from physical and psychological symptoms to legal, financial and work related matters that could directly affect the quality of life and cancer patients and their carers. The session hosted talk by Irene Higginson, Wei Gao and Christina Remsenthaler.