The use of spiritual practice in the treatment of cancer person pain

Abstract

Objective: To identify whether cancer patients use spiritual practice to cope with the physical pain caused by cancer and what spiritual strategies are used. Method: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study, conducted at a referral hospital for chemotherapy treatment and a cancer support center, located in southern Bahia, between August and September 2019. For the collection, a questionnaire was used. with sociodemographic variables and questions about spirituality. Results: Most people pursued spiritual strategies: prayer, bible reading, attending mass/worship, hymns of praise, lighting candles, praying the rosary, meditation, and having faith in physicians and God. Conclusion: The use of spiritual practice is a strategy used by people with cancer who participated in the study to relieve the physical pain caused by the disease, and that such a strategy reduces pain.