THE ROLE OF SPIRITUALITY IN CARE FOR ONCOLOGY PATIENTS: A REVIEW UNTIL 2024

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594272419032

• Palavras-chave: Spirituality; Oncology; Cancer; Quality of life; Revision.

• Keywords: Spirituality; Oncology; Cancer; Quality of life; Revision.

• Abstract:

  Spirituality, although it is commonly associated with religion, is not restricted to it and must be understood as a universal human dimension, involving subjective values and allowing the individual their own search for meaning and existential reflection. The humanization of medicine, defended by the WHO and recommended by the SUS, must not be an exception in oncology services, where individual aspects, such as spirituality, must be respected and encouraged, whether by adding alternative/complementary practices to therapy, providing comfort and alleviating the emotional commitment, or providing support for bereaved family members. The objective of this study is to identify how spirituality can benefit cancer patient care. The work consists of a bibliographical review. Using the advanced search tool, a search was carried out using the keywords “Spirituality”, “Oncology” and “Cancer” in the PubMed, Cochrane Library and Scielo databases. Filters were used only for completeness and freeness of available studies, resulting in 49 articles. After reading the title, abstract and descriptors, 21 studies were excluded, leaving 28 studies for complete reading and analysis. All reviews analyzed highlight benefits arising from spirituality in the care of cancer patients, highlighting points such as improved quality of life, spiritual, emotional and subjective well-being; positive influence on coping with pain; positive changes in post-traumatic growth; increased sense of dignity, will to live and sense of purpose. However, one of the reviews highlights that religious beliefs can have negative influences on the patient. The report and series of cases corroborate the reviews, which verified the importance of recognizing the spiritual dimension in pain control, including in cases refractory to drug treatment, and giving new meaning to the process of death and symbolic pain, with an increase in quality of life. All observational and exploratory studies analyzed found benefits associated with spirituality in the management of cancer patients, although 03 of them found limitations and negative aspects associated with religious beliefs and customs. Spirituality is an important tool for cancer patients and their caregivers/family members, being able to provide them with positive feelings, such as hope and comfort, and alleviating negative aspects, such as grief, expectation and the symbolic pain of the inevitable outcome in some cases. cases, and must therefore be respected and encouraged whenever possible by multidisciplinary teams in oncology services.