# Spiritual Care for Cancer Patients at the End-of-Life

## TL;DR

This study explores how faith and family support help cancer patients near the end of life cope with illness and find spiritual peace.

## Contribution

The study highlights the role of faith and family in end-of-life spiritual care for cancer patients with limited prognosis.

## Key findings

- Family support was considered most important by 90% of patients.
- Faith was seen as important by 66.7% of patients for coping with illness.
- Spiritual well-being improved when patients received faith support from family and a priest.

## Abstract

Background: Spiritual care for patients at the end of life is an important element in their holistic care. The aim of this study is to assess the opinions of cancer patients with limited prognosis about the importance of faith in fighting illness and the factors contributing to a better adjustment to illness and to their self-reconciliation and spiritual well-being. Material and Methods: This study used a specially designed questionnaire for cancer patients with limited prognosis. The 30 respondents were patients with an estimated prognosis of less than 1 month, cared for in a unit with palliative and home care beds. Results: The patients emphasized the importance of family as a supporter in the fight against disease (90%), followed by faith (66.7%) and a care team (63.3%). The most common concerns expressed were related to the course of their disease, family distress, fear of death, and the Russian–Ukrainian war. Conclusion: Family and faith represent important factors in supporting and caring for a patient at the end-of-life. Patients who felt spiritually at peace and were supported in their faith by family and a priest had a better spiritual state.