In this qualitative study, we explored the cognitive strategies used by South African women with breast cancer to cope with their cancer experience. The themes that emerged were reappraisal, acceptance, relinquishing control, and benefit finding. Reappraisal involved downward comparison, normalising experiences, and positive self-talk. Acceptance included accepting unpleasantness, preparing for future challenges, acceptance for healing, and spirituality. Relinquishing control included giving up, trust in God, and trust in doctors. Benefit finding included spiritual growth, personal growth, altruism, and appreciation of life. To our knowledge, these were the first data to document South African women’s experiences of coping with breast cancer.

在这项定性研究中，我们探索了南非乳腺癌女性用来应对其癌症经历的认知策略。出现的主题是重新评估，接受，放弃控制和发现利益。重新评估包括向下比较，规范化经验和积极的自我对话。接受包括接受不愉快，为未来的挑战做准备，接受康复和灵性。放弃控制包括放弃，信任上帝和信任医生。收益发现包括精神成长，个人成长，利他主义和对生活的欣赏。据我们所知，这些是记录南非妇女应对乳腺癌经验的首批数据。