Aims : The purpose of this study is to determine the degree of satisfaction of users of the Cancer Information Point section of the Library for Patients (CIP-LP), active since 1998 at the National Cancer Institute of Aviano, Italy. The CIP-LP is based on a skilled intermediary, adequate informative material and a specific location, within the Scientific Library of the Institute. Patients and methods : A survey was developed to assess service functionality and quality from the users' viewpoint. During a 6-month period, a questionnaire was mailed to 194 patients and relatives who previously used the CIP-LP; 113 (58%) were returned and processed. Results : Of the respondents, 91% were pleased with the CIP-LP and 95% would recommend the service to other people. The information obtained contributed to a clearer understanding of the illness and treatment (45% as first answer) and a better control of the situation (33%). Fifty-one per cent evaluated the information received as 'good', 42% 'excellent' and 4% 'of sufficient quality'. Conclusion : This survey shows the appreciation and usefulness in the users' perception of a specific hospital library for cancer patients and their relatives, providing an information service supplementary to doctor-patient communication.

- Thanks to substantial medical progress, today the number of cancer survivors constantly increases. Thus, ever more frequently, patients and healthy professionals must treat a new condition: the cancer survivorship. This condition is peculiar for both its somatic (e.g. the late and long term effects of the treatments) and psychosocial (e.g. psychological distress, fear for a relapse, perceived social support) implications. The present paper is a review of the recent international literature about cancer survivorship; a condition still less known in Italy. First the definition of cancer survivorship is discussed and then cancer survivorship is addressed through a four point model of the concept of Quality of Life. In the last section, the authors will examine the expectation for future research, as well as the possible limitations, together with the practical implications of this topic.