Yeah, while perspective is important, this just using people suffering from cancer as bat to stop a slight annoyance.

I have found that in the most cases it is far, far better to simply let the person cry their frustrations out, allowing the built up emotions a safe outlet, then when they have calmed down, start focusing on even the slightest positivity they can work with, after that you can start adding humor to the situation and in that you can add perspective.