Understanding meanings and lived experiences of spirituality among adults with cancer.

PURPOSE

To explore subjective meanings and lived experiences of spirituality among adults with cancer.

METHODS

Participants (age ≥ 18, any type/stage of cancer, English-speaking) were recruited from one cancer center. Semi-structured interviews elicited what "spirituality" means and how it was experienced when facing cancer. Data were analyzed using interpretive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

25 participants from diverse religious/spiritual backgrounds, primarily white (92%) and female (64%), with an average age of 59 years (range: 43-90), most often described spirituality as connection with something greater. Spirituality in daily life was described as participation in spiritual practices, engagement in service and nurturing others, finding and/or creating sacredness everyday, holding a supportive worldview, and relating with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Meanings and experiences of spirituality vary widely among people with cancer. Findings underscore the need to tailor spirituality screening. Future research should focus on better understanding spirituality across diverse populations and developing interventions to support spiritual care.