Obstacles in the prevention of psychological sequelae in survivors of childhood cancer.

This article reviews some of the elements of surviving childhood cancer. It is evident that there are psychological, social, and neuropsychological sequelae of surviving cancer; and therefore there is a need for prevention of psychological sequelae in survivors of childhood cancer. This article outlines four obstacles to their prevention--the lack of adequate research, the distribution of resources, professional attitudes, and the "Damocles syndrome" perspective--and suggests some means by which these obstacles may be overcome.