Explanation of the Spiritual Experiences of Breast Cancer Patients: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study

Breast cancer is associated with unique changes and experiences in all physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of one’s life. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate the spiritual experiences of breast cancer patients.

This qualitative study was conducted using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. In total, 20 eligible breast cancer patients were selected, through maximum variation and purposive sampling method, from the oncology ward of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Qom, Iran in 2019. The required data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews which lasted between 50-75 min. The collected data were analyzed using the six-step Van Manen method.

After the data analysis, the main theme of the spiritual experience of the patients was "return to the Holy". This theme included "spiritual beliefs and attitudes", "spiritual growth and excellence", "spiritual support", and "restoration of the power of life".

According to the lived experiences of the participants of this study, breast cancer highlights the spiritual aspect of one’s life and the tendency towards spirituality. Therefore, the healthcare team can use the findings of this study to develop educational plans and provide spirituality-based services to breast cancer patients.