The cancer treatment services have been developed for short episodes of treatment and have been distinguished by intensive professional direction: now they have to adapt to a new situation when they will need to offer more information on options and continuing support. New approaches are needed and a new commitment in order to improve the quality of life of survivors. In the past, cancer patients have complained more than others about lack of information during treatment. Survivors have been found to have a significantly poorer quality of life compared to their peers. Data for the US show the following:

• The number of cancer survivors rose from 3 to 10 million from 1971 to 2001.

• 64% of adults whose cancer is diagnosed today can expect to be living in 5-year time.

• Breast cancer survivors make up the largest group of cancer survivors (22%) followed by prostate cancer survivors (17%) and colo-rectal cancer survivors (11%).

• The majority (61%) of cancer survivors are aged 65 or older.

• An estimated one out of every six people aged over 65 is a cancer survivor.

This increase in prevalence in certain cancers will result in significant changes for patients who will experience living with cancer as a chronic disease for many years or even decades, not just days or months.