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The survivor syndrome

Therapeutical advances improve the survival of a greater and greater number of cancer sufferers. These survivors experience a certain number of new psychological difficulties which can be grouped under the name of the « Lazarus syndrome » or the survivor syndrome.

(In the Gospel according to Saint John, Lazarus was an ill friend of Jesus, who died before Jesus could reach him. Lazarus’ sister, Martha, asked Jesus to resuscitate him which he did. If we believe in the Gospel, Lazarus surely experienced psychological problems that were at the very least original at the time, since no-one, before him, had ever returned from the dead).

Besides late physical complications, the patient can experience major psychical dysfunctions as well as worrisome alterations in his relationships with others: Fear of relapse, Diminished self esteem, Morbid concern about death, Increased psychological lability, Difficulties at work, Social isolation, Difficulties in reintegrating with the family or social circle, Increased maturity in young patients, Over-protective behaviour of family and social circle ...

More often than not, this psychological discomfort is not pathological and does not significantly interfere with the patient’s return to family, school, work or social life and its joys. He just needs time to adapt.

Avoidance of illness or medical care can also be observed. In young patients, psychical maturity is reached far earlier than in healthy adolescents, thus creating relational difficulties with friends.