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Revista Cuidarte
Print version ISSN 2216-0973On-line version ISSN 2346-3414
Abstract
SILVA, Daniel Augusto da. Cancer Patients and Spirituality: An Integrative Review. Rev Cuid [online]. 2020, vol.11, n.3, e1107. Epub May 10, 2021. ISSN 2216-0973. https://doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.1107.
Introduction
The magnitude of cancer suggests that it is a public health problem with high incidence, prevalence and mortality rates in the population, averaging 27 million new cases by 2030. Different coping strategies are used to face this situation, in which religiosity and spirituality are clearly predominant.
Objective
To understand the changes in the lives of cancer patients and their behavior as a consequence of their spiritual practice.
Materials and methods
An integrative review study comprising ten articles was conducted, which were obtained from the Virtual Health Library using the descriptors neoplasm and spirituality.
Results
Experiencing cancer may cause feelings of guilt, sadness, failure, loss of self-esteem, uncertainty, anxiety, depression, nervousness, fear, concern and insecurity about the future because, despite today’s technological advances, such feelings continue to be attributed to cancer, intensifying the search for spirituality.
Discussion
Religion and spirituality can be seen as important coping strategies providing comfort and hope in difficult times.
Conclusion
Cancer patients experiencing spirituality as a therapeutic tool is not dependent on gender, age, social class, race and religion as well as the importance of spiritual practice has been proved to have a strong positive impact on the lives of cancer patients.
Keywords : Patients; Neoplasms; Spirituality; Therapeutics.