Using Religion and Spirituality to Cope with

Mesothelioma

Dana Nolan, MS LMHCLicensed Mental Health Counselor

Clinical Experience

Many mesothelioma patients rely on spiritual beliefs, religious practices and congregational support to cope with their disease.

Patients want their religious beliefs considered and supported by their health care team.

Some mesothelioma patients and caregivers experience spiritual distress.

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Religion and Spirituality

Religion-specific: A set of beliefs and practices within an organized group of people. Most religions or denominations have a leader or some hierarchy of leadership.

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Religion and Spirituality (Cont.)

Spirituality-individual: Beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life, connectedness to others, a higher power or spirits of loved ones who are deceased.

One’s spirituality may or may not be expressed through organized religion.

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Cancer Research and Spirituality

Cancer care researchers routinely combine the two concepts of religion and spirituality in

their results about how these concepts affect emotional and physical well-being.

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Spiritual Impact of a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

When diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, it typically leads patients to think about spiritual issues such as: The meaning and purpose of their lifeDeath and the afterlife Interconnectedness and transcendence

The National Health Interview Survey in 2002 reported that cancer patients pray much more frequently than the general U.S. population.

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Coping Through Spirituality

There is no mesothelioma-specific research on spirituality.

Many cancer patients rely on prayer, religious rituals or spiritual practices to cope with the physical and psychological effects of their disease. Catholics may find that praying the Rosary

relieves anxiety and brings comfort.

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Coping Through Spirituality (Cont.)

A Buddhist may find meditation not only brings enlightenment but some pain relief.

A church member may feel less depressed, isolated and hopeless while singing and praying with their congregation during a Sunday service.

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Benefits of Spiritual Well-being

The National Cancer Institute reports that spiritual and religious well-being can improve health and quality of life in the following ways: Decrease alcohol and drug abuse Lower anxiety, depression and anger Decrease blood pressure and risk of heart disease Increase ability to enjoy life during cancer treatment

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Spiritual Distress Spiritual distress is described as feeling abandoned

by God or by one’s religious community during their cancer battle.

Several studies have shown that spiritual distress is associated with depression and poor adherence to medications or medical advice.

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Reasons for Spiritual Distress A Patient may view getting cancer as unfair if they

have lived their life according to their religious or spiritual beliefs.

Not getting support from their congregation after supporting others in the past.

Hearing that God will heal them if they pray enough or believing that getting cancer is a punishment for previous sins.

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Working Through Spiritual Distress

Many patients and caregivers don’t feel like they can talk to their clergy or spiritual community about their distress.

Hospital or cancer center chaplains can be a resource because they specialize in working with people having health-related challenges.

Mental health professionals (counselors or social workers) are great resources to help patients cope with the emotional factors associated with spiritual distress.

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Spiritual Support for a Loved One Listen (without judgment or criticism) if a loved one

wants to talk about their spirituality, end-of-life concerns and arrangements or share stories related to the purpose or meaning of their life.

Allow the patient or caregiver to express ALL their emotions and thoughts about their spirituality without trying to make them feel better or fix their distress.

Many people resolve their spiritual or existential issues if given a supportive environment to talk.

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Conclusions

Research supports that cancer patients want their spiritual or religious beliefs considered by their

health care team when making treatment decisions.

A large recent study supports the relationship between spiritual well-being and physical health in

cancer patients.

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Sources

National Cancer Institute (2015) Spirituality in Cancer Care: Spirituality and Quality of Life. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/day-to-day/faith-and-spirituality/spirituality-pdq

Jim, H.S. et al. (2015) Religion, Spirituality, and Physical Health in Cancer Patients: a Meta-Analysis. Cancer, Vol 1, 3760-3768.

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Contact Information

1-800-615-2270

(800) 615-2270