The Importance of Spirituality for Women Facing Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study
Metadatos
Mostrar el registro completo del ítemAutor
Morett Romano Leão, Diva Cristina; Pérez Marfil, María Nieves; García Caro, María Paz; Ramos Pereira, Eliane; Costa Rosa Andrade Silva, Rose Mary; Braga Mendonça, Angelo; Nencetti Pereira Rocha, Renata CarlaEditorial
MDPI
Materia
Breast cancer Spirituality Diagnosis Health Nursing Meaning in life Qualitative research
Fecha
2021Referencia bibliográfica
Leão, D.C.M.R.; Pereira, E.R.; Pérez-Marfil, M.N.; Silva, R.M.C.R.A.; Mendonça, A.B.; Rocha, R.C.N.P.; García-Caro, M.P. The Importance of Spirituality for Women Facing Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 6415. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph 18126415
Resumen
Breast cancer remains significantly distressing and produces profound changes in women’s
lives. Spirituality is an important resource at the time of diagnosis and treatment decisions. This
qualitative study aimed to explore the spiritual experience of women diagnosed with breast cancer
and the considerations of spirituality in health care using the existential phenomenology approach.
The sampling procedure was intentional, based on the study’s exclusion and inclusion criteria. Forty
women participated in individual interviews. The research was conducted in the outpatient clinic of a
reference federal university hospital in South-Eastern Brazil. Throughout the research process, ethical
principles were carefully followed. Five themes were identified: (1) meaning of spirituality–source of
spiritual strength, (2) well-being in the relationship with God, (3) well-being in religious fellowship,
(4) values and purpose of life–meaning in life, and (5) spirituality as a foundation to continue. Respect
for patient’s spiritual values was recognised as a fundamental principle in health care. Spirituality
was revealed as a source of support during the complex process of being diagnosed with breast
cancer. Thus, health care professionals that value and encourage spirituality are needed, favouring
better patient response to the diagnosis.