Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
Published on: May 22, 2026
Meaning, spirituality, and wellness in cancer survivors
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maryvachon@sympatico.ca
Objectives:
To explore the concepts of meaning, spirituality, and wellness in cancer survivors.
Data Sources:
Review and research articles, books, and personal experience as a nurse psychotherapist and as a cancer survivor.
Conclusion:
Cancer survivors often rely on their religious and spiritual beliefs as a way of deriving meaning during their illness experience and survivorship, as well as a way of coping with and coming to terms with the concept of death. The measurement of religion and spirituality in health and cancer survivorship is challenging because of the difficulty in defining terms and in developing ways of measuring the concepts.
Implications For Nursing Practice:
Nurses have the opportunity to explore the meaning of cancer and spirituality in the lives of their patients. Such discussions can allow for the introduction of concepts of wellness including changes in lifestyle habits and social support that may improve quality of life for cancer survivors.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Survival Analysis
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Cancer Prevention
Some...