Objective: To explore the relationship between coping strategies and emotional distress of breast cancer patients and their care takers. Methodology: The present study was descriptive correlational study. The data was collected from SVIMS radiation oncology unit in Tirupati during December 2015 to feb 2016. There were 60 participants including 30 breast cancer patients and 30 their care takers. The study sample comprises of breast cancer patients with inclusion criteria I, II and III stages of breast cancer who are attending to radiation oncology unit aged between 30­65 yrs, were selected and their care takers were also included in the study. Sample was selected by purposive sampling technique. Brief cope scale (carver 1991) and the distress thermometer with accompaing problem list were used for data collection. The data was interpreted through SPSS ­20. Results: The study results revealed that 6 most frequently used coping strategies of patients with breast cancer were religion , use of instrumental support, use of emotional support, acceptance, positive reframing, planning where as 4 most frequently used coping strategies by care takers were positive reframing, planning, active coping, acceptance. Emotional distress of breast cancer patients and care takers results revealed that the total mean scores of breast cancer patients distress was 21.10(SD­ 5.874) and their caretakers mean distress was 18.90(SD­ 6.955). The results showed that patients had more emotional distress than their care takers. Coping strategies of patients with breast cancer namely acceptance, self distraction, active coping, positive reframing, venting, religion, humor, planning were related to their emotional distress.( r=0.629, p<0.01, r=.588, p<0.01, r=.584 p<0.01, r=.538,p=<0.01,r= .427,p<0.05, r=0.413, p<0.05,r=0.403 p= <0.05, r=.385, p<0.05,).coping strategies of care takers of breast cancer patients namely active coping, positive reframing, venting, acceptance were related to their emotional distress(r=0.623, p<0.01, r=0.601, p<0.01, r=0.497, p<0.01, r=0.442, p<0.05). Conclusion: he findings support the notion that some coping strategies are related to emotional distress both in breast cancer patients as well as their care takers. 

Keywords: Breast cancer; Emotional distress.