If You Need: Help With Issues About Faith

Your beliefs about life, its meaning, and value can be shaken up when you are diagnosed with cancer. The first question often is "Why is this happening to me?" This question occurs to most people, whether or not they consider themselves to be religious. For people who believe in God, the questions can become "Why is God doing this to me?" or "Is God punishing me?" Cancer as a punishment for some past sin is an old, stubborn idea.

Another belief some people have is that God doesn't give us things we can't handle. If people have problems coping with their illness, they may feel they are disappointing God or failing in some way. People may even get angry at God when they get cancer. They may find it hard to pray or to know what to pray for.

Even people who don't think they are religious may find themselves asking questions about faith or the meaning of life. Because people attach meaning to events, questions often arise about life's value and how life will change after a diagnosis of cancer.

The answers to these questions aren't always easy to find. For some people, cancer leads to a crisis in their faith. This may be the first time they are faced with disturbing questions. Pastoral counselors can be helpful. This is not to say that the clergy have all the answers to life's most difficult problems. However, they are willing to help people search for answers.

Sometimes people think the clergy should be called only when someone is near death. But the clergy can be helpful at any time during the illness. People differ in what they need from their clergy. For some people, saying a prayer together is helpful. Others may want to discuss their feelings and questions in more depth. A pastoral counselor can serve as a sounding board to help you find out how life can have new meaning after you are diagnosed with cancer. If you have spiritual concerns, talking with the clergy might be helpful.Some people use prayer to help cope with their cancer. There is no scientific proof prayer alone will cure cancer. However, prayer is based on faith, not on science. Prayer and scientifically tested cancer treatments should not interfere with each other. Getting medical treatment should not prevent people from praying, and praying should not prevent people from getting the best, scientifically tested treatment for cancer.

If prayer has helped you deal with other troubles, it will probably also be comforting how. At the very least, prayer may help you feel less alone. If prayer is useful to you, combine it with the best medical treatment for your cancer.

How Spiritual Counseling Can Help

How Do You Find These Services?

Pastoral counselors often work at hospitals. Ask your doctor, nurse, or social worker about pastoral counselors at your hospital. If you belong to a church, synagogue, or other place of worship, think about talking first with your clergy.

Spiritual counseling is available through:

Both clergy and lay counselors are available through these organizations. Sometimes counseling agencies hire trained pastoral counselors. If you want to talk with a spiritual counselor, keep asking until you find someone who meets your needs. Your hospital social worker may also help you find someone.

Helpful Hints

Spiritual counseling services are usually free. Sometimes there is a charge for a pastoral counselor employed by a counseling agency. This fee is often based on your income. Not all clergy are trained to help people solve problems related to cancer. The same is true of counselors in general, since they usually specialize in handling certain types of problems. If the clergy in your church or synagogue are not trained to help with cancer-related problems, ask your social worker to refer you to someone who is.

This Fact Sheet is adapted from the book, Helping People Cope: A Guide for Families Facing Cancer, written by Joan F. Hermann, ACSW, Sandra L. Wojtkowiak, RN, MSN, Peter S. Houts, PhD, and S. Benham Kahn, MD, and supported by the Pennsylvania Cancer Control Program of the Pennsylvania Department of Health; 1990 Revised Edition.

c 1993, Arnerican Cancer Society Inc.

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