<p>It is estimated that by the 21 st century over 60 per cent of cancer patients will survive beyond the five-year range (Tuls-Halstead and Fernsler 1994, La Fortune- Fredette 1995). Evidence from cancer registry data shows that even in 1987 the percentage of people surviving cancer beyond five years was greater than 50. Figures 1 and 2 show survival rates for two types of cancer - carcinoma of the breast and carcinoma of the lung. Also, many patients now live with cancer for much longer periods of time. For these patients, cancer can be classed almost as a chronic illness (Leigh 1994).</p>