Proposed Research Problem 1

THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY OF WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER

Rationale: Cancer is a life-threatening health problem. Anyone who will be diagnosed with this

disease suffers not only mental, emotional, physical distress but as well spiritual distress (Alava

et al., 2015). In a study conducted by Economou et al.( 2020) it was noted that many patients

with cancer rely on spiritual or religious beliefs and practices to help them cope with their

disease. A study’s clinical implications by Devi and Fong (2019) emphasized the importance of

addressing women's spiritual concerns, with attention to cultural differences so as to render

holistic patient-centered care.

The purpose of this study is to describe the lived experience of patients specifically

women who are diagnosed with breast cancer and how they were able to cope with their disease

and find meaning in these experiences. The researcher was impelled to do this study after a

member of her family was diagnosed with this devastating illness and watched how the person

reconnect with her Creator.

References
Alava Majd, H., Hatamipour, K., Rassouli, M., Yaghmaie, F. & Zendedel, K. (2015). Spiritual
Needs oaf Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Study. Indian J Palliatuve Care, 61-67.
Devi, M. K., & Fong, K. (2019). Spiritual Experiences of Women with Breast Cancer in
Singapore: a Qualitative Study. Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing, 6(2), 145–150.
https://doi.org/10.4103/apjon.apjon_77_18
Economou, D., Ferrel, B. & Zumstein-Shaha, M. (2020). Nurses' Response to the Spiritual Needs
of Cancer Patients. European Journal of Oncology Nursing.