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- Title
THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY IN THE CANCER EXPERIENCE.
- Authors
Wenzel, Jennifer
- Abstract
Faith and spirituality are known to be important to patients with cancer, but their exact needs are not always well understood. The purpose of this paper is to report women's discussion of faith and spirituality while undergoing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. A hermeneutic/phenomenological approach guided the study. This method relies on the belief that people make meaning from their lives through narrative construction. Results are from a larger study in which women enrolled in managed care organizations (MCO) were interviewed regarding their overall experiences with cancer diagnosis, treatment and treatment decision-making. A total of 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted over time with 14 women diagnosed with breast cancer who met the following criteria: cancer requiring treatment, >18 years, literate/articulate in English, enrolled in an MCO >1 year. Although no questions related to spirituality, religion or faith were addressed in the interviews, women spontaneously addressed the importance of these phenomena when discussing their cancer experience. Interview data were analyzed through a reflexive process of transcript reading, categorization, data reduction and interpretation; credibility and validity were maintained through member checks and comprehensive audit trail documentation. Results are presented as four themes: "Reliance on faith and prayer to get through the experience and remain hopeful"; "Trusting in God facilitates decision-making"; "Spiritual well-being counteracts physical illness"; and "The reciprocity of the faith experience". Women in this study articulated the importance of spirituality, faith, prayer and dependence on God as essential in successfully moving through the cancer experience. Furthermore, women outlined specific ways in which they received benefits from engaging in spiritually-linked activities. Benefits reported were both tangible (i.e., physical and emotional support from church members; answers to prayer) and intangible (i.e., assistance in dealing with the harshness of the disease reality, ability to maintain a sense of peace and calm in turbulent circumstances). Study findings may serve as a basis to assist patients in addressing and meeting their desired spiritual needs throughout cancer diagnosis and treatment. Cancer support resources need to be examined to provide the multi-faceted levels of assistance patients desire when experiencing the difficulty of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Funding Sources: Barbara Brodie Scholars Endowment Award, University of Virginia School of Nursing. National Institute of Nursing Research P30 NRO 8995
- Subjects
CANCER patients' religious life; SPIRITUALITY; CANCER &; religion; MANAGED care programs; CANCER diagnosis
- Publication
Oncology Nursing Forum, 2007, Vol 34, Issue 1, p173
- ISSN
0190-535X
- Publication type
Article