Table 2 Results of the principal components analysis of 24 items

I can still experience the joys of life after being diagnosed with cancer

Do something special for myself to make life better

Help other patients cope with cancer and treatment

Divert my attention from the disease by focusing on other important things in life

Find a way to help myself through this difficult time

I can overcome physical distress or relieve fatigue by doing something

I treat disease with a positive attitude

I never give up even if the chance of cure is low

My faith helps me through my illness

I can give and receive love and care from others

I should perform positive actions to navigate through the disease

I believe that we can fight diseases as long as we work hard

I like to challenge myself with new and difficult things

I still think I’m a very energetic person when sick

My daily life is full of things that interest me

I have a tenacious personality even after the cancer diagnosis

I can concentrate and think clearly under the pressure of illness

I can make unusual or difficult decisions

If I think I am going to fail, it is going to happen

The effect of disease treatment rarely follows the trend I expect

I often worry about my health

I hardly expect good things to happen to me

I feel tired most of the time

I feel very lonely or helpless after cancer diagnosis

Eigenvalue

% of variance