A nurse in a maroon uniform is speaking with a patient and completing a form. The patient has long braided hair and wearing a yellow top.

Spirituality and cancer guide for healthcare professionals

Blog
Published: 04 June 2025
A practical guide for healthcare professionals on understanding and supporting the diverse spiritual needs of cancer patients to enhance holistic, patient-centred care.

Written by Kerstin Felton and Sanjeet Shergill

What is spirituality?

Spirituality is a personal sense of connection to something greater than oneself, which may or may not involve religion. It can be expressed through practices like music, prayer, meditation, or cultural rituals, and support can come from communities, loved ones, or spiritual leaders.

Why spirituality may be important to your patients

Spirituality may be important to patients affected by cancer as it often provides comfort, strength and meaning during a difficult time. Having a spiritual practice may help patients with their emotional and mental well-being. 

Cancer care and spirituality

It's important to recognise the spiritual needs of a patient as it's vital to patient centred care. 

Ways you can support your patients' spiritual needs

Make space and time to talk about their spiritual needs

Spirituality is deeply personal and can be expressed in many different ways. People living with cancer may not always realise that it's okay to discuss spiritual concerns with their healthcare team. This hesitation can stem from various reasons, such as not wanting to take up a professional’s time. However, creating open lines of communication can help individuals feel more at ease. 

One way to initiate these important conversations is through a Holistic Needs Assessment. This tool can highlight a person's concerns and help explore how their cancer experience may have impacted their faith or beliefs. By understanding these aspects, healthcare professionals can better support patients and, where appropriate, incorporate their spiritual needs into the overall care plan.

What to do if you are unsure how to support your patients spiritual needs

Engaging in conversations about a patient's spiritual needs should be approached with respect, empathy, and understanding. A holistic needs assessment can serve as a valuable starting point, helping to explore what truly matters to the individual. 

Throughout these discussions, it's important to be mindful of your own body language - ensure it is open, welcoming, and that you're actively listening. Equally, pay attention to the patient's nonverbal cues: do they appear at ease, or do they seem uncomfortable? 

If the patient seems hesitant or unwilling to engage in the conversation, consider gently signposting them to more specialised support, such as a spiritual care team or chaplain.

It is okay to not be an expert or knowledgeable of the person's spirituality, faith or religion. Don't be afraid to ask questions, as long as they're respectful. Or to get support from your local chaplaincy services (if you work in a hospital).

Signpost to support for your patients

Healthcare professionals can work to help connect patients with where they might find support. These can include:

  • Support groups which may be able to address their needs
  • Chaplains or a spiritual care team 
  • Alternative therapies such as yoga or mediation, arts or music therapies.
     

Useful resources for healthcare professionals

Conversation prompts to explore spiritual needs with patients

  • Do you have any personal spiritual beliefs or practices?
    • what are they?
    • do they help you?
    • is there anything we can do to support them?
  • How do your beliefs affect the care you would like to receive?
  • What is there in your life that gives you internal support?
  • Is your current situation affecting your ability to do things that usually help you spiritually?
  • Are you part of a spiritual, faith based or religious community – is this supportive to you?

Resources

End of Life resources

Grief support guide by National Bereavement Alliance

Resources for your patients

Online training

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