The role of spirituality in females with breast cancer: an integrative literature review

Helen Kerr , Erniyati Fangidae

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Purpose of study:
Spirituality is an aspect of human nature and should, therefore, be incorporated into a person-centred holistic assessment in cancer care. The aim of this literature review was to explore the role of spirituality in females with breast cancer.

Methods:
An integrative literature review using a systematic approach was adopted. A search in four databases was supplemented with searches for papers from the grey
literature and reference lists of included studies.

Findings:
18 papers were identified, and four themes emerged; the role of spirituality at the pre-diagnosis stage of breast cancer; the diagnosis stage; the treatment stage and post-treatment stage. Spirituality was reported to have both a negative and positive impact on a range of aspects of well-being including emotional, functional, physical, spiritual and social.

Conclusion:
Spirituality is unique to each individual and nurses should provide holistic care which identifies the aspects which individuals attribute meaning to. Nurses should ensure their practice incorporates an assessment of spirituality as part of a personcentred approach to care.
Original languageEnglish
JournalCancer Nursing Practice
Volume21
Issue number6
Early online date09 May 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2022

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