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Table 3 Strategies for handling cancer

From: Reflection of illness and strategies for handling advanced lung cancer – a qualitative analysis in patients and their relatives

Category

Sub-category

mentioned by

Repression

Repress thoughts of cancer

a, b

No talking about deterioration and death

a, b

Cope on my own

a, b

Distraction in general, avoidance of social media

a, b

Positive attitude

In general, towards therapy

a, b

Comparison: other patients more distressed

a, b

Hold on to plans and aims for the future

a, b

Openness of handling the illness

a, b

Cancer as a challenge

b

Irony and humor

b

Strong focus on the present

Live from one day to the other

a, b

Live as usual

a, b

Do the best of life

a

Relish every left day

b

No changes

a

Switch off, be active

b

Adjustment of life terms

Hurry less, relax

a, b

Talking to cancer, take over control

a, b

New tasks: more praying, documentation

a, b

  1. a = patients; b = relatives