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Ethnicity and spirituality in breast cancer survivors

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Abstract

Introduction

Many women are incorporating spirituality as a way of coping with cancer. However, few studies have examined the role of spirituality in mood and quality of life among breast cancer survivors from different ethnic groups.

Methods

One hundred and seventy-five women who had completed treatment for breast cancer participated in in-depth interviews about their experiences. Transcripts were available for 161 women.

Results

The majority (83%) of the women talked about their spirituality. The main themes were: (1) God as a Comforting Presence; (2) Questioning Faith; (3) Anger at God; (4) Spiritual Transformation of Self and Attitude Towards Others/Recognition of Own Mortality; (5) Deepening of Faith; (6) Acceptance; and (7) Prayer by Self. A higher percentage of African-Americans, Latinas, and Christians felt comforted by God than the other groups.

Conclusions

These results are consistent with the common assumption that more African-American and Latinas engage in spiritual activities and that African-Americans are more fatalistic than the other groups. Implications for Cancer Survivors: The present findings suggest that there are several dimensions of spirituality experienced among cancer survivors. For many the trauma of a cancer diagnosis might deepen their faith and appreciation of life as well as changing the way they view at themselves, their lives, and how they relate to those around them, including God.

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Notes

  1. New Age practices are those outside of mainstream religion in the US. Many formulate their own belief system and practices, but others join formal groups.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge the help of our research assistants: Yaffa Alter, Heather Law, Erin McCoy, Ana Freire, Mariaelena Gonzalez, Regina Lagman, Mabel Lam, Beverly Lynn, Sann Situ, Chris Van Onselen, Shelley Volz, Ivy Wong, Gloria Boehm, Tina Chan, Julie Armin, Ann Gilliard, Qiu Chen Bookmark not defined.

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Correspondence to Ellen G. Levine.

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This research was supported by Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions (RIMI) grant 5 P20 MD000544-02 from the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, to San Francisco State University.

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Levine, E.G., Yoo, G., Aviv, C. et al. Ethnicity and spirituality in breast cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 1, 212–225 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-007-0024-z

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