[Beyond happiness]

Cancer has a drastic effect on the day-by-day feeling of well-being of many people in our greying society. After a long history of melancholia and powerlessness unexpectedly many advances in the treatment of cancer have now been made. However, the happiness brought about by successful treatment is being dulled by the consequences of this often intensive treatment. Despite longer survival having been achieved, chronic severe fatigue and a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease or a second tumour now stand between the cancer survivor and happiness. The price that has to be paid for surviving cancer seems to be higher than was originally thought.