What are the factors that may increase the risk for hospialised patients of experiencing psychological distress and what are the stratergies that are used by patients to help in coping with thier illness? To address this gap, the current cross secional-study presented data that was collected as part of a 12 week trial of routine bedside screening for psychological distress in patients admitted to an Australian public hosptial cancer service. A total of 115 patients completed screening using the Distress Theromometer and Problem Checklist and 18-item Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18). Only past psychiatric hisotry and being newly diagnosed were significanlty correlated with increases global distress and anxiety (all p<.01). Multiple regression analysis found that the current number of emotional and physical problems were significant unique predictors of global distress. Patients reported an array of stratergies as being helpful in coping with their illness and these were clustered around four themes. For clinicians working with hospialised cancer patients, not only being aware of identified risk factors for depression, anxiety and distress but also the strategies that patients use to cope with their illness, is important in ensuring the provision of holistic and effective care.