This study explores the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery experience of blue-collar, Caucasian men with head and neck cancer. Interviews were conducted with seven rural and urban men aged 50- to 60 years who were diagnosed with and treated for head and neck cancer. Their narratives revealed significant disruption to their masculine roles throughout the cancer trajectory. They also revealed an interesting approach to their experience--they described curing cancer as a job in need of completion. Instead of using the typical "battle" words about cancer--"fight," "survive," "kill," etc.--these men had a more occupational focus, which allowed them to strategize how they could successfully complete the job of curing their cancer. Their strategies included (a) selecting "management" [physicians], (b) enlisting a caregiver [woman family member] to provide unskilled labor, (c) having a positive attitude, and (d) developing their spiritual lives. The men also had to deal with strategies that did not work at the completion of treatment. The findings of this study will further person-centered care by providing insight into gendered approaches to treatment. Understanding a patient's background and expectations can help health care providers to communicate in ways that are relevant to the roles with which a patient is familiar, thereby keeping the patient actively engaged in their treatment.