Coping with cancer: the role of self-care.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between self-care and an individual's ability to cope with cancer. The self-care an individual practised was measured using a researcher-developed Self-care Agency Assessment. Coping with cancer was assessed by measuring four outcomes: anxiety, depression, self-esteem and sense of control, as well as a general personal perception of coping. Analysis of the data using the correlation technique showed a strong relationship between self-care and how an individual coped with cancer (0.81).