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Approaching the Spiritual and Religious Concerns of the Patient with Cancer: Creating an Environment for Dialogue Regarding Spiritual Concerns

From the Maimonides Cancer Center, Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology

Authors’ disclosures of potential conflicts of interest are found at the end of this article.

Address reprint requests to Alan B. Astrow, MD, Maimonides Cancer Center, 6300 8^th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11220; e-mail: aastrow{at}maimonidesmed.org

Overview: Patients with cancer may confront the possibility of their own mortality for the first time. This experience may evoke a variety of concerns related to life's meaning and purpose that go beyond the physical or psychologic and that have been termed "spiritual." Oncologists are often face-to-face with patients as they struggle with these concerns. Many patients wish to be able to discuss their hopes and fears with their oncologist and to relate to their oncologist in a more human way. We must develop an approach that helps us engage with our patients when they are in distress without feeling expected to provide answers or solve unsolvable problems. Being fully present to the seriously ill patient with cancer is a challenging professional obligation that requires inner personal discipline and external support. This session will explore different paths — secular and religious — that may help oncologists meet that obligation.