The cancer survivor.

Patients who have completed therapy for malignant disease face many problems, including the possibility and persistent fear of recurrent disease or a new malignancy. The side effects of therapy, including surgical scars, radiation effects or damage to physiological function may strongly influence patients' complete recovery. Depletion of financial resources or a lengthy interruption of employment may present serious difficulties, particularly if patients cannot function as well as before. They may also find it difficult to buy life insurance, or mistakenly believe that they are not eligible to receive insurance. Their attitudes may change; they may become bitter, angry, resentful and have problems relating to others. They may also need counselling for sexual problems caused by physical or psychological effects of the disease or treatment. The family physician is in a position to help cancer survivors adjust, because he has a particular insight into medical, social, psychological and financial factors affecting the patient.