Table 4 Quotations^a on problem- and emotion-centred strategies during survival. Majorca 2017–2019

Attitudes

 Forget, keep going

E10_M68: [Do you have any fears?] No, no, I say: “What will be will be” and I’m fine going [to the medical check-ups]. If they find something, then I’ll get knocked down again, but … I don’t go with the fear of: “What if they find something”, No. [A person who has defeated cancer has to resume their previous life, forget all about it.]

 Life-transforming changes

E02_M46: Consequences of having survived cancer? What I just told you, a perspective on life a little … knowing to only sweat the really big stuff and this is good. This consequence is good, it teaches you to live better in some aspects

 Denial

E01_W41: [How did you feel when they told you: “It’s over … you have defeated cancer”?] Well, I don’t know if there is a “it’s over” … even if they tell you: “it’s over”, you don’t quite believe it. I mean, I’ve been … for almost 9 years and you can’t quite believe that you’re healthy, that you’re fine. And you’re grateful and it doesn’t matter how you say it, but it’s like your mind can’t stop the fear of “what if …” and the “what if” is what prevails above all else

Actions

 Lifestyles

E01_W41: [What about physical activity or work?] Physical activity … for a while I even run, although I never saw myself as a runner. In addition, I have to say that I have taken supplements with lots of natural things, things that are now fashionable … And that I would recommend … reiki, all the combination of natural things with traditional medicine

E10_M68: Well, before, I don’t know, you thought more about your life, to fight … and now you say: “What will be will be”, and if I want to eat something, then I eat it, and if I feel like doing something, I do. Before I used to over-think things

Positive / negative feelings

 Feeling proud

E13_M71: [Do you need to talk about cancer sometimes?] If I do it, it’s for self-esteem: “shhh! you don’t know who you’re talking to, I’ve survived the bug” (laughs) … I’m delighted, delighted, it has given me lots of confidence, yes, yes, yes. Not that I am immortal or invincible, but I’m strong, I’m strong, my body is ready and I can face almost anything

 Feeling lucky

E03_M54: I feel lucky, really. In spite of everything, I feel very lucky because, I was just saying, I thought people died of cancer … there are still people, unfortunately, but not everyone, and I feel lucky

 Fear

E01_W41: With all that happened this year I have to be super happy, but now I have my gyn check-up again … I live in constant fear, now I almost even laugh a little, but … I live scared, living scared after you know you don’t have it any more. But, my mind doesn’t want to know, it’s like my mind refuses to know that I’m okay