[Cancer can be "restricted" using the international program "Reach to Recovery"]

An important problem of communication between oncologists, society and cancer patients is discussed using the instance of breast cancer patients. It is suggested that higher general awareness of cancer can raise the cultural standards of the population. Cancer patients can improve the quality of their life by accessing the experience of the Reach-to-Recovery Program which envisages recruiting selected and specially-trained people who had cancer. The first detailed descriptions of the goals, objectives, regulations and problems involved in volonteer oncologists work are starting to appear on the pages of scientific journals in Russian. The practical success of this international program are illustrated by the achievements of the Association Nadezhda which has been active in St. Petersburg for 10 years. The damaging effect of cancer diagnosis on morale can be effectively dealt with only by joint effort. Each member of society must be aware of his or her responsibility for his or her own health and fully realize all advantages of early medical advice as well as devastating consequences when it is sought too late.