Emotional and Spiritual Support

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide; about 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer.
Diagnosis and medical treatment for cancer usually cause great physical and emotional distress and
add stress to cancer patients’ lives. Spirituality and religious beliefs have been found, especially
important for patients who suffer from severe illness and/or are facing life-threatening health
problems. Spirituality is an aspect of one’s life regarding seeking meaning, purpose, and connection
to a higher power, and it allows the individual to effectively function toward his/her life goal. It is
believed that spirituality is one essential factor providing a context for cancer patients to derive hope
and meaning to cope with their illness from the diagnosis through treatment, survival, recurrence, and
dying, and it could serve as a protector buffers the deteriorating impacts of life stress and illness.
Individuals who are living with a life-threatening illness such as cancer may be most vulnerable to
spiritual distress and are more aware and sensitive to their spiritual selves and spiritual needs.
Addressing spiritual needs could help patients cope with the challenges associated with illness. As
spirituality is a critical component of holistic and person-centered care, spiritual interventions should
be considered and incorporated into the plan of care for each cancer patient