Spirituality and religiosity: influence on cancer therapy and well-being

Urtiga, Lívia Maria Pordeus Coura; Lins, Gabriela Almeida Nogueira; Slongo, Alice; Ventura, Ana Letícia Ferreira; Cabral, Ana Karolina Gomes Domiciano; Parente, Luana Barbosa; Santos, Mayane Maria Fernandes dos; Lima, Maysa Ramos de; Freitas, Natalia Sampaio; Fernandes, Tainah Gonçalves

doi:10.1590/1983-80422022304578EN

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Research • Rev. Bioét. 30 (4) • Oct-Dec 2022 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-80422022304578EN copy

Spirituality and religiosity: influence on cancer therapy and well-being

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Religiosity and spirituality provide cancer patients with strength and confidence to face difficult situations during the process of seeking a cure, indicating that faith is an important element at this time. This systematic literature review analyzed the national and international scientific production to assess whether religious and spiritual practices facilitate therapeutic adherence and improve the quality of life of cancer patients. Level of evidence was classified using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Some articles showed that spirituality and religiosity positively influence treatment and patient well-being. In conclusion, cancer patients who use religiosity and spirituality as a strategy have grater hope in treatment; however, further in-depth studies are needed to ensure its effectiveness.

Neoplasms; Spirituality; Religion; Religion and medicine

Identification	Study method	Grade evidence level	Main results
Merath and collaborators; 2019 ⁸	Qualitative study	Moderate	66.7% of patients reported that religion/spirituality did not influence treatment decisions, and 33% mentioned it as a source of strength to face the disease
Ferreira and collaborators; 2020 ⁵	Literature review	High	Most articles demonstrated religiosity and spirituality as positive influences on the treatment and quality of life of patients.
Ribeiro, Campos, Anjos; 2019 ⁹	Descriptive study with a qualitative and ethnographic approach	High	It was mentioned that religious and spiritual beliefs provided strength, tranquility and confidence during the fight against breast cancer
Ahmadi, Hussin, Mohammad; 2018 ¹⁰	Qualitative research	Low	Culture and spirituality were superior to religion in terms of patients’ choices for the treatment method, which is entrusted to divine and demonic entities
Yazgan, Demir; 2017 ¹¹	Descriptive, cross-sectional and analytical study	High	It is necessary that religious and cultural practices be included in the routine of care for individuals with cancer
Goudarzian and collaborators; 2019 ¹²	Cross-sectional study	Very low	Patients who develop religiosity are able to deal with the disease and strengthen self-care
Silva and collaborators; 2019 ⁴	Qualitative study of the descriptive type	Moderate	The study defined faith as the main way of coping with breast cancer, being used by women for emotional strengthening and coping with therapy
Maciel and collaborators; 2018 ¹³	Quali-quantitative descriptive study	Moderate	A spiritual approach on the part of nursing is essential in the care of cancer patients
Mahayati, Allenidekania, Happy; 2018 ¹⁴	Qualitative study	High	Adolescents with cancer mention that spirituality provided greater confidence in healing, calm and strength to confront the pathology
Moraes Filho, Khoury; 2018 ¹	Analytical, observational, cross-sectional study with correlational design	Moderate	All individuals analyzed used religious strategies to experience chemotherapy treatment and its toxicity
Goudarzian and collaborators; 2017 ¹⁵	Cross-sectional study	Moderate	Patients with religious coping demonstrated a lower level of pain perception
Kunz and collaborators; 2018 ³	Qualitative research	Moderate	Women with breast cancer with constant religious practices obtain better emotional control during the course of the disease, and there is a reduction in the number of deaths in this sample
Nelson; 2017 ¹⁶	Expert opinion	Very low	Religiosity and spirituality can improve the psychological experience of patients and help in decision-making. However, individuals may hesitate to seek treatment because of their belief in God’s will.
Mosque, Chaves, Barros; 2017 ¹⁷	Literature review	Moderate	Patients have spiritual needs that can help improve physical, emotional and social aspects
Bowie and collaborators; 2017 ¹⁸	Cross-sectional study	Moderate	African-American men are strongly influenced by religion and spirituality in the treatment of prostate cancer, because of the view of the disease as a punishment from God, and consequently tend to be more passive
Merluzzi, Philip; 2017 ¹⁹	Descriptive study	Moderate	The use of religion in coping with cancer showed better psychosocial status and tolerance to negative events
Assaf, Holroyd, Lopez; 2017 ²⁰	Qualitative research	Moderate	The practice of prayer and reading the Koran brought comfort to women with breast cancer, in addition to helping to build a new purpose in life
Reis, Farias, Quintana; 2017 ²¹	Descriptive and exploratory qualitative research	High	Cancer patients face contradictions caused by religion: they are reassured by faith, but believe that healing is only possible by divine miracle
Sousa and collaborators; 2017 ²	Integrative literature review	Moderate	Negative religious coping has been shown to cause damage to mental health; positive religious coping, on the other hand, favored well-being and a good response to chemotherapy
Tsai, Chang, Wang; 2016 ²²	Qualitative research	Moderate	Religious beliefs influenced active cancer coping and psychological support

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[1] Correspondence Lívia Maria Pordeus Coura Urtiga – Rua Abelardo da Silva Guimarães Barreto, 51, Altiplano Cabo Branco CEP 58046-090. João Pessoa/PB, Brasil.