[Psychosocial aspects at the onset and in course of cancer]

The paper gives an overview of the development of psychosocial factors concerning cancer patients and their relatives. Special attention is paid to the problem of informing them of the diagnosis and to helping patient and family to maintain hope in the face of the often upsetting changes in the life situation as a consequence of the disease. Empirical data are given on the long-term reaction of patients after survival.