Appreciating the value of life in cancer

Abstract

Cancer, being a life-threatening disease, constitutes a traumatic event. It turns out, however that traumatic experiences may stimulate personal growth and transformation. Many cancer patients attribute attainment of a new outlook on life and greater appreciation of its value to this illness. Studies show that cancer patients experience improved understanding of the meaning of life, increased spiritual growth and better interpersonal relations. Changes experienced by patients result from the trauma they are undergoing and the adaptation through posttraumatic growth (PTG). Positive changes reported by patients battling cancer are examined, among other, within the framework of the posttraumatic growth theory of Tedeschi and Calhoun (2007). This theory assumes such growth is facilitated by crucial events, capable of destroying the existing beliefs regarding the world, life and oneself. Moreover studies have shown that applying strategies based on religion stimulated posttraumatic growth.