Resumen

NAVAS, Carmen; VILLEGAS, Hyxia; HURTADO, Ricardo  y  ZAPATA, Deliana. La conexión mente-cuerpo-espíritu y su efecto en la promoción de la salud en pacientes oncológicos. Rev. venez. oncol. [online]. 2006, vol.18, n.1, pp.28-37. ISSN 0798-0582.

OBJECTIVES: Currently in Venezuela the management of cancer patients is focused on chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. In some fortunate cases interventional psychosocial programs are applied but when this occurs no importance is given to spirituality. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of spirituality on the clinical outcome of cancer patients. METHODS: A literature search was performed that included papers that found evidence that spirituality is a major issue in the outcome of these patients. RESULTS: Spirituality promotes immune function, increases survival, ameliorates the symptoms of the disease and treatment related side effects, and enhances the quality of life of oncologic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Spirituality favors healthier life style and behavior, and that is associated with a lesser risk to acquire certain diseases and with a more favorable attitud towards illness. It should be included in psychosocial support programs for oncologic patients.

Palabras clave : Spirituality; religiousness; psychoneu-roimmunology.