The impact of religiosity and spirituality in the care of the oncological patient: an integrative literature review

Abstract

Countless studies have been carried out to elucidate the relationship between spirituality and religiosity with health. Cancer, in turn, causes a sense of vulnerability in those who receive the diagnosis, so that such patients are highly likely to turn to the spiritual realm. The objective of the present research is to identify the role of spirituality and religiosity in the care of cancer patients, in addition to demonstrating their effects on the quality of life, mental health and therapeutic choices among cancer patients. The research was carried out through an integrative literature review. Specific descriptors in Portuguese and English were used in the PubMed, Lilacs and SciELO databases, in an effort to look for articles published between May 2017 and May 2022. 262 articles were found on the subject, which were thoroughly analyzed. From the articles analyzed, only 32 were selected to be used in the review. Thus, spirituality was considered a form of coping and strengthening, in addition to increasing hope and spiritual well-being. It was also associated with lower instances of anxiety issues, depression and reduced psychiatric symptoms. Strong religious beliefs resulted in less regret about treatment choices, but were related to worse prognosis and alienation about the disease. Spirituality was associated with a better quality of life in cancer patients, as well as greater post-traumatic improvement. Therefore, spiritual and religious inclination plays an important role in the lives of cancer patients, increasing quality of life, well-being, mental health, acceptance and coping with the disease.