Meaning in life among Cancer clients

INTRODUCTION

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and is estimated to account for 9.6 million deaths in 2018¹ .

The estimated number of new cases of cancer each year is expected to rise from 11 million in 2002 to 16 million by 2020 in both developed and developing countries² and by 2030, an estimated 70% of all cancers will be diagnosed in adults aged 65 years or older.³

Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervix and thyroid cancer are the most common among women. Moreover, the incidence of cancer is expected to increase dramatically in the next decade due to the increasing life expectancy and aging of the population.⁵

The overwhelming effects of cancer could be catastrophic for the patients and their family members, putting them at risk of experiencing uncertainty, loss, and an interruption in life. Also, it can influence their sense of meaning, a fundamental need equated with the purpose in life.

Meaning in life

This multidimensional construct is broadly conceptualized as a setof beliefs that bring coherence to the world and purpose to one’s own life. and is generally defined as a person’s subjective feelings of meaningfulness, including a sense of purpose or direction, comprehension of life’s circumstance, and significance. 

Meaning in life has an important role in the maintenance and enhancement of physical, psychological, and mental health. Seeking and fulfillingmeaning in life in patients with cancer and their family members acts as a significant protective factor against emotional instability, ensuring their psychological health and wellbeing. Also, comparing Meaning in life of patients with cancer and their family members could assist healthcare professionals in understanding and planning appropriate healthcare services. Despite the obvious importance of enhancing a sense of meaning in patients with cancer and their family members and raising the awareness of the healthcare professionals of the need for spiritual and palliative care. 

Dimensions of meaning in life

The meaning in life can be conceptualized as having four dimensions

1. Harmony and Peace: This dimension includes feelings of inner peace and harmony and positive emotions connoting a sense of tranquility, serenity, and comfort.

2. Life Perspective, Purpose and Goals: A second dimension consists of feelings and thoughts of satisfaction with one’s life, now and in the future, and the meaning assigned to one’s own life. This reflects a sense of motivation toward future goals and direction in life. It also indicates personal growth, such as learning about oneself and becoming a better person. 

3. Spiritual: Third, meaning in life includes elements of spirituality or a belief in a purposeful pattern of the universe that is larger than a single individual. Meaning as spirituality can be independent of religious faith or connection with traditional beliefs espoused by organized religions.

4.Confusion and Lessened Meaning: Finally, the absence or loss of meaning in life represents a fourth dimension and is reflected in negative emotions, confusion, and a lesser sense of value in life. For those without a sense of meaning, life is a negative experience. These individuals react to life crises rather than respond in a purposeful way, and they experience confusion about themselves and life in general.

Strategies to improvemeaning in life

Social support: Seeking out others or developing a plan of action may also help individuals find meaning by fostering engagement and emotional expression to others. In turn, expression facilitates further processing of the event and its significance and enables individuals to view an event from a more meaningful perspective.

Active coping: Active coping may also impact meaning in life by increasing feelings of selfefficacy and personal control. Changing one’s behavior (calling a nurse to ask questions about a treatment rather than continuing to worry) provides evidence to an individual that he or she is, indeed, trying to improve a difficult situation or solve a problem.

Acceptance and Positive Reinterpretation: A common coping strategy—may lead to a greater sense of meaning in life through the reevaluation of the diagnosis as less negative.

Acknowledge and express feelings: A diagnosis of cancer can trigger many strong emotions. Take time to listen and find constructive ways to express feelings through writing, talking, physical activity or creative pursuits. Consider professional support if depression or anxiety is hampering the ability to function well.

Seek support from other cancer survivors: Often, people find a sense of comfort when they communicate with others affected by cancer. Seek the help of doctor, nurse, or social worker for local support groups. Also contact the Cancer Support Community for ways to connect one-on-one, in groups, or online with others.

Maintain a spirit of hope: Hope is desirable and reasonable. It can be scary after cancer to set goals, but start out small and enjoy daily pleasures. Take effort to redefine how and when you experience hope by focusing on your spiritual beliefs, cultural customs, and family connections. Praying and attending religious services, may help to shape one’s sense of meaning in life by providing a framework or system of beliefs that answers many of the issues with which some individuals struggle.

CONCLUSION

A comprehensive understanding of meaning of life guides healthcare professionals in facilitation of patients with cancer and their families in expressing and processing their psychological state, provision of holistic care and to-the-point counseling referrals which might help to alleviate physical, mental, and emotional health consequences