The qualitative interviews took place in accordance with the
participants’ choice: outpatient clinic (n = 2) research centre
(n = 13) or the participants’ home (n = 11). The patients and
their partners were interviewed separately. Partners were
interviewed by the first author and patients by the last
author. The opening question was: ‘How would you describe
this past year since the diagnosis and surgery of your/your
partner¢s cancer?’ Probing questions were asked such as
‘What do you mean?’ and ‘How would you describe that?’
Informants were encouraged to speak freely about the
experience of the past year. An interview guide was used to
ensure covering issues such as life in general, how the