A new U.S. study has revealed that religious beliefs and spirituality can play a vital role in reducing stress and depression among cancer patients, offering them emotional comfort during treatment.
Researchers at the Mount Sinai Health System found that patients undergoing radiation therapy for gynecological and other cancers benefited when doctors engaged in conversations about spirituality and faith.
The study is unique in identifying, for the first time, the type of spiritual questions patients prefer to discuss during their treatment journey. Patients reported that these discussions not only made them feel understood but also strengthened their ability to cope with stress.
Faith as source of strength
According to the findings, 82 percent of patients considered their faith “very important” in their lives. Many admitted that their depression eased due to the power of religious beliefs and spirituality, which gave them resilience during their medical battle.
Experts highlighted that cancer patients are highly vulnerable to stress and depression, with more than 40 percent even experiencing post-traumatic stress several months after treatment. In such cases, spirituality acts as a strong emotional support system.
Emotional health matters
Medical experts involved in the research emphasized that spiritual health should be considered as important as physical health. They found that acknowledging and addressing patients’ religious or spiritual beliefs during treatment improved overall emotional well-being.
Patients who received such support often reported feeling calmer and more hopeful, suggesting that spiritual care could become a standard part of cancer therapy.
The researchers now plan to expand their study to include a wider range of patients and apply these findings in the early stages of cancer diagnosis. They are also working on developing training modules and protocols for doctors, enabling them to integrate faith and spirituality into routine care.
