Spirituality and cancer

Having cancer can make us to think about the bigger things in life, and this may include questioning, searching for meaning and wanting to explore different ways to cope with our challenging emotions.

Religion, spirituality and cancer

Religion is an organised set of beliefs and practices that a group of people follow, based on divinity and faith. There are many different religions.

Spirituality is the sense of being part of something greater than ourselves, giving meaning and purpose in our lives. Many people have spiritual needs, and they can be influenced by personal values, beliefs and relationships.

Whilst formal religion has declined over recent years, many people still turn to spiritual support at a time of crisis.

• You may want to connect with your spirituality. This could be through music, nature, poetry, art, meditation or mindfulness.
• You may be looking for spiritual support. This can be from family and friends, your local community, a hospital chaplain or other religious leader.
• You may find you have questions, be angry with, or draw closer to a faith or spiritual support system. This could be particularly with when managing issues at the end of life, but it can happen during any part of living with cancer.

Nurses and doctors in caring situations, especially in cancer and palliative care, aim to be sensitive to spiritual needs and distress.

Religion can be a very personal topic, and so if it is important to you, please let your healthcare teams know.

Mental health, spirituality and coping strategies

Living with cancer can sometimes raise big questions, and we may rely on a number of coping strategies.

Sometimes, anxiety and depression can be partly due to spiritual questions and a search for meaning.

Here are some ways to recognise spiritual needs, and how to address them.

Finding ways to cope spiritually

• If your faith is important to you or you would like to draw closer to the religious part of spirituality, you could visit your local church or religious centre. Being part of something organised and spiritually uplifting can help at a time of crisis.
• You can connect with your spirituality through the arts, meditation, nature, personal reflection and talking with others.  Exploring new hobbies, finding ways to express yourself, and connecting with others can help give meaning and purpose.
• Practice or develop new skills that help with relaxation, mindfulness, and creative therapies. Visit your local Maggie’s centre, for example, and find out what is available, in terms of relaxation, therapies, support and a sense of community.
• Talk with someone who can identify your spiritual needs. You may have big questions or be struggling with ‘why me?’ and ‘why now?  This may be through your place of worship, the hospital chaplain, or religious leader.  These could be questions you feel able to ask your healthcare team, or at Maggie's.
• Recognise that the thoughts, feelings and emotions you’re experiencing are likely to be a mixture of psychological and spiritual issues. The sources of support you access for one can often overlap. Talking about how you feel, with people who understand, can help you feel heard and less isolated.
• Many people with cancer, when asked about what is important to them, said that family and friends gave their life meaning. Making time for those close to you, and valuing quality time with people you love, can often seem more important when living with cancer.

When to seek further help

If you’re finding that you're experiencing thoughts, feelings and emotions that are making you worried, and low in mood - talk to someone.

• The issues you face may have a spiritual component, but your doctor will be able to recognise what is normal for you - and whether you are becoming depressed or need further help.
• If you’re angry, or are struggling with your faith and spirituality, it can help to talk with a local chaplain, church or religious leader. Hospital and hospice chaplains recognise spiritual distress, and aim to listen, whichever faith they belong to.
• Visit your nearest Maggie’s and talk with others who will understand that you are struggling - recognising that cancer has raised big questions for you.
• Find out more about managing spiritual distress and building up your emotional resilience through the resources on this page.
  

Last review: Dec 2025 | Next review: Dec 2028