Introduction The prevailing model of medical care for patients with cancer emphasizes the curative efforts of medical technology toward the eradication of the disease. Yet the suffering of the patient as a result of both the disease and our efforts to treat it is often overlooked. If we are to improve the survival of patients with cancer, it will be through intensive research into the molecular under- pinnings of the disease and clinical trials of new therapies. However, it is essen- tial to recognize and address the suffering of cancer patients as they are being treated. It is the purpose of...