Article: Spirituality and Religion in Oncology

Despite the difficulty in clearly defining and measuring spirituality, a growing literature describes its importance in oncology and survivorship. Religious/spiritual beliefs influence patients’ decision-making with respect to both complementary therapies and aggressive care at the end of life. Measures of spirituality and spiritual well-being correlate with quality of life in cancer patients, cancer survivors, and caregivers. Source: CA, A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Volume 63 / Number 4 / JulyAugust 2013