Meanings and Factors Related to Spirituality in People with Breast Cancer: Systematic Review

Spirituality is a multifaceted and abstract concept that can evolve throughout life and is influenced by various factors. As such, each individual constructs a personal understanding of spirituality. It plays an important role in both health and illness. This study aimed to explore the meanings and underlying factors that define spirituality in individuals diagnosed with breast cancer. A systematic literature review was conducted over a two-month period (October to December 2022) using the databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, and additional gray literature sources. From 278 identified articles, 61 were selected for full-text review, and 47 were ultimately included in the final synthesis. The review revealed that spirituality is a complex and dynamic phenomenon, often serving as a coping mechanism and a source of life purpose for individuals facing illness. Despite its significance, there is a continued need for further exploration through qualitative research, both globally and particularly within the Colombian context. The main limitations of this review include its exclusive focus on breast cancer, excluding other cancer types, and the limited number of recent qualitative studies. Therefore, future research should delve deeper into the meanings of spirituality using qualitative methodologies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon.