[Images of cancer: metaphors in the literature]. / Beelden van kanker: metaforen in de literatuur.

Metaphors of cancer were once rejected by Susan Sontag, because their existence slandered the patient. There are a number of very common metaphors about cancer and the question raised is as to whether forbidding metaphors is solving the problem Susan Sontag put to the fore. We conclude that getting rid of metaphors also makes it impossible for patients to use metaphors to feel better.

['Don't fence me in'. Portrayal in novels and TV dramas of illnesses that impose a limitation of movement]. / 'Don't fence me in'. Bewegingsbeperkende ziekten in romans en tv-drama.

Diseases that lead to a limitation of movement play a role in many novels, autobiographies and TV dramas. The cause of such diseases may lie centrally, in the central nervous system, or peripherally, in bones or muscles. They have great symbolic significance due to the loss of freedom imposed. Patients' reactions may vary from acceptance to denial. Denial is best seen in Anna Enquist's novel The secret, but above all in The Singing Detective by Dennis Potter.