Background <p>A&#xa0;cancer diagnosis is a&#xa0;life-changing event. Both patients and their families must learn to cope with the associated challenges. Little is known about how the burden of hospitalized cancer patients with solid tumors evolves during the first year or how they mobilize their own coping resources. This study examines the relationship between distress levels, support services, and individual coping strategies during the first year of the disease.</p> Methods <p>With a&#xa0;concurrent embedded mixed-methods design, distress thermometer data from <i>n</i> = 239 individuals with cancer were analyzed. Calculations included dispersion, distribution, mean values, and chi-square tests. In addition, 12&#xa0;individuals, grouped according to their distress thermometer scores and disease period, were interviewed. Content analysis was applied to the interviews.</p> Results <p>The statistical analysis reveals a&#xa0;significant correlation between the level of stress and the use of psycho-oncology services (2 [1] = 14,99; <i>p</i> &lt; 0,001) but no significant correlation between the level of stress and the phase of the disease (<i>p</i> = 0.456). Overall, around 28% (<i>n</i> = 69) use the psycho-oncology service. A&#xa0;decreasing median (3&#xa0;to&#xa0;2) in the level of stress could indicate that those affected are adapting to the circumstances. The content analysis indicates main topics of the experience of illness and care, social network, and the prospect of life afterwards. Those affected use their own resources to deal with the illness; the family environment plays an important role in this.</p> Conclusion <p>Cancer patients employ their own resources to cope with the burden of their disease. Nevertheless, nursing professionals should systematically assess not only the burden and its causes but also the coping strategies of cancer patients in order to provide targeted support. In this context, it is important to gather relevant information about the patients’ environment.</p>