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BACKGROUND A comprehensive assessment of patients' problems and needs is essential for all patients with chronic diseases, including cancer. AIM This study assesses the problems, unmet needs and requirement for palliative care (PC) among patients with cancer. METHOD A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed using a valid self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS On average, 62% of patients had problems that were unresolved. The need for patients to have more information about their health was identified (75.1%), followed by financial problems because of the illness and ability to afford healthcare (72.9%), and psychological issues, such as depression, anxiety and stress (67.1%). Patients stated that their spiritual needs were not being met (78.8%), and that they were experiencing psychological distress and problems with daily living that needed to be addressed through PC (78%, 75.1%, respectively). A chi-square test revealed that all problems are significantly associated with the need for PC (P<.001). CONCLUSION Patients needed more assistance in psychological, spiritual, financial and physical domains, and this can be provided by palliative care. Palliative care in low-income countries is a human right for patients with cancer.