The Influence Of Religiousness In The Process Of Development Of Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: There are positive influences of religious and spiritual beliefs in the face of diseases such as cancer.Objective: To analyse the influence of spirituality and religiosity in cancer in the perspective of cancer patients. Methods:It is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research, carried out with 10 patients in cancer treatment, aged between 37 and 75 years. Data were collected through interviews, containing guiding questions about the theme and treated according to the Content Analysis. Results:The results are summarized into three categories: (1) perceptions/conceptions of patients in the discovery of cancer; (2) vision and experience of spirituality/religiosity of cancer patients and (3) the influence of spirituality/religiosity in the treatment of cancer. They were discussed in the light of the relevant literature to the subject. Conclusion:Cancer brings a new life meaning for patients. Religion and spirituality have a strong relationship between the disease and faith in the possibilities of healing, which makes the religious coping a stress reduction strategy and improves quality of life of people. IntroductionCancer is a worldwide public health problem that really affects Brazil [1], associating the physical and emotional effects characterized by a biochemical disorder that originates from the uncontrolled growth of cells that invade tissues and organs and can spread metastasized to other parts of the body [2].The diagnosis of cancer causes a strong impact on the lives of those affected and their families. Therefore, in the face of hopelessness and suffering caused by the discovery of the disease, seek in spirituality/religiosity positive or negative sense to experiences [3].Spirituality is an existential intimate feeling, a search for the meaning of life and being in the world and it will not necessarily be linked to a belief in something bigger, like God [4]. It is universal, is the essence of being human, and goes beyond any doutrin [5].It is observed that religiousness and spirituality, although they relate, are not equal. Religiosity can be understood as a set of beliefs and practices belonging to a doctrine, which are shared and followed by a group of people through services or rituals that necessarily involve the notion of faith [4].Brazilian clinical populations have shown that religious and spiritual involvement enhances the quality of life and reduces depression and anxiety in ambulatory treatments [6]. It also notes that in young people with cancer, spirituality seems to emerge as a component that increases the hope for them, helping to face the challenges generated by the chronicity of the disease and the search for the meaning of life [7]. Elderly patients related to religious faith to hope, balance and fortification [8].Researchers (?) point out the benefits of religiousness/spirituality to face disease, justifying the inclusion of the theme in the interventions in health [7][8][9].Each individual expresses spirituality in their own way, relating it to hope to su...