Patients use creativity to cope with cancer

More than 1.6-million Americans will be told they have some form of cancer this year. Living with the disease can be a daily challenge, but some have found creative ways to cope.

With each splatter of paint, cancer survivor Ray Paul's fears are fading.

"It's definitely very therapeutic and when you figure you're sick like this, you might not have a lot of time," he said.

He calls his artwork "My Sarcoma." It's his coping canvas.

"These are mainly lung cells. And a couple would be the tumor in the leg. I kind of try to show it as a progression too," he said.

He also made this music - it's his fight song.

Moffitt Cancer Center Doctor Jacob Gardinier Scott says finding ways to cope can be helpful for patients.

"I find that the people who are able to divert the focus back to something else, something important to them are the ones who even do better," Scott said.

Studies show having a hobby or creative outlet can improve overall health and well-being. Other coping ideas: gardening, dancing, comedy, blog-writing or even exercise.

Brain cancer patient Michelle Boyd Dejong's coping canvas is her skin. Her husband and friends are also armed with this fighter tattoo.

"Stamping my arm was something I could control. There were so many things outside of my control," Dejong, 28, said.

Dejong's inked arm has caught on. Now people all over the world are wearing the word "Fighter" on their body or t-shirt.

"I got this as a reminder to fight every single day," she said.

It's a way to cope and fight a disease that they'll do anything to beat.

Dejong is also writing a book about her journey. She says if she can't finish writing it, she'll have her husband do it.