Table 2.

Coding schemes for story topics and writer profile

Search Facility		Coding Scheme
Story topics (domains)
	Diagnosis	Feelings about diagnosis
	Treatment	Decision-making about treatment: (1) having no choice, (2) breast conserving surgery or mastectomy?, (3) adjuvant treatment or not?, (4) reconstruction or not?, (5) prophylactic mastectomy of other breast, (6) ovary removal, (7) other
		Coping with treatment
		Treatment side effects:(1) arm lymphedema, (2) hair loss, (3) fatigue, (4) nerve pain, (5) hot flashes, (6) skin problems, (7) other
	Health care system	Delay in/errors at diagnosis
		Waiting for test results
		Contact with medical staff: (1) support, (2) lack of understanding
		How treatment was performed: (1) satisfied, (2) dissatisfied
		Second opinion
	Living with it	Work and insurances
		Family and friends: (1) support, (2) lack of understanding, (3) talking with and worrying about
		Body image and sexuality: (1) (partly) missing a breast, (2) partner’s reaction
		Pregnancy issues: (1) pregnant at diagnosis, (2) wanting to become pregnant after treatments
		Coping with breast cancer: (1) thinking (emotional-focused coping), (2) doing (problem-focused coping)
		Practical advices
		Concerns about heredity
		Coping with metastasized breast cancer
Writer profile (personal characteristics)
	Age at diagnosis	Number of years
	Time since diagnosis	Number of months
	Partner	(1) No, (2) yes
	Children	(1) No, (2) yes
	Treatment received	(1) Breast conserving therapy, (2) mastectomy, (3) radiation therapy, (4) chemotherapy, (5) hormonal therapy, (6) immuno therapy (herceptin), (7) breast reconstruction, (8) lymph node dissection
	Phase in the course of disease	(1) In first treatment period, (2) free of cancer, (3) cancer for second time, (4) metastasized cancer, (5) passed away