Objective This study used the Distress Assessment and Response Tool (DART) to screen, evaluate, and explore physical symptoms, psychological problems, and social support in patients with cancer pain, with an aim to provide data for the comprehensive care of these patients to improve their quality of life. Methods The DART was used to survey 497 patients with cancer pain who were admitted to the Cancer Center of the First Hospital of Jilin University from June 2014 to March 2017. All patients were diagnosed with malignant tumors by clinical, radiological and/or cytological examinations, and were experiencing tumor-related pain. This study recorded the patient’s somatic symptoms, psychological problems and social support in detail. After the data were collected, the SPSS 21.0 software was used to perform the statistical analysis, with the significance level set at P < 0.05. Results In total, 82.7% of patients were experiencing mild pain (NRS ≤ 3); of these, 29.7% and 15.8% reported depression and anxiety, respectively. In addition, 17.3% of patients were experiencing moderate or severe pain (NRS ≥ 4); of these, 53.5% and 40.7% reported depression and anxiety, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of anxiety and depression between the two groups. Conclusion Patients with cancer pain, particularly those with moderate-to-severe pain, showed a high incidence of distress. In addition, they were likely to report physical symptoms, were conscious of poor health conditions, and were prone to have anxiety and depression. In terms of social support, patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain should receive substantial support, as they experience work-related and economic concs and report difficulties in family life and social activities.