[Managing a long term illness: the point of view of the sociologist]

This paper presents a sociological perspective of the experience of the cancer patient. Cancer is considered in the wider context of chronic and/or long-term illness which are typical of modern societies. The sociological concepts of "biographical disruption", "illness trajectory", "endless work and care" of the patient and his family are useful for analysing the experience of illness, and doctor-patient relationships. Moreover, they might illuminate some aspects of the individual and collective impact of modern oncogenetic technologies.