Religious cancer patients 'cope better'

11 August 2015 - 02:02 By © The Telegraph

Religious people cope better with cancer than non-believers, a study suggests. Religion and spirituality were a comfort for most cancer sufferers and those with the strongest faith claimed they felt healthier and mentally better.The US study found that believers had greater ability to carry on doing everyday tasks and fewer symptoms of cancer and its treatment. Those who could reconcile their illness with their beliefs also experienced less anxiety, depression or distress.Believing in a benevolent God that answered their prayers made cancer sufferers more outgoing and able to maintain relationships.Those who believed their illness was punishment from an angry or distant God or who had doubts over their faith fared worse.Researchers said further studies were needed on the long-term link between religion and health and if health-support services should offer believers religious guidance.Heather Jim of the Moffitt Cancer Center said: "In addition, some patients struggle with the religious or spiritual significance of their cancer, which is normal."How they resolve their struggle may affect their health, but more research is needed to better understand and support these patients."The first comprehensive study of its kind looked in detail at religion and its effect on people's physical and mental health using past studies involving 44000 patients.It found most individuals with cancer had religious and spiritual beliefs, or derived comfort from these experiences.Jim said: "These relationships were particularly strong in patients who experienced greater emotional aspects of religion and spirituality, including a sense of meaning and purpose in life as well as a connection to a source larger than oneself." ..

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