Many patients use prayer, meditation, or connection with nature to navigate the emotional and physical challenges of cancer

Spirituality plays a significant role in cancer care, acting as a vital coping mechanism that helps patients find meaning, hope, and peace while reducing distress and improving quality of life. It involves personal values, religious beliefs, or a sense of connection to something greater, often aiding in managing anxiety, pain, and treatment decisions.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/stories-and-media/blogs/spirituality-and-cancer

A cancer diagnosis frequently forces a profound re-evaluation of the meaning of life, shifting focus from long-term planning to immediate purpose and personal values. Patients often cope by finding meaning through connection, spiritual peace, and re-evaluating what matters most, which can lead to enhanced mental well-being and reduced anxiety. 

Impact on Meaning and Purpose

• Existential Reflection: Cancer acts as a catalyst for tackling existential questions regarding life's finitude, often leading to a reassessment of personal goals and values
• "Meaning-Making": Patients often engage in "meaning-making"—a process of understanding their suffering and finding purpose
• Shifting Priorities: Patients may move away from career-oriented goals to prioritize relationships and finding gratitude in everyday moments 

Mental Health and Adaptation

• Reduced Distress: Individuals who maintain a strong sense of purpose often experience lower levels of depression, anxiety, and pain
• Hope and Survival: Finding meaning in life, significantly boosts feelings of hope and the desire to survive
• Loss of Meaning: A lack of meaning is often associated with higher rates of depression and, in some cases, sometimes underlining the need for psychological support. 

Support and Finding Meaning

• Therapeutic Interventions: "Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy" and "Meaning of Life Therapy (MLT)" are used to help patients manage anxiety and improve their quality of life.
• The Concept of "Ikigai": Some cancer survivors find value in the Japanese concept of ikigai, or finding a reason to wake up each morning, which can help redefine priorities and goals.
• Active Coping: Engaging in supportive care and open communication about feelings helps patients manage fear and adapt to their new reality.