Abstract
In this case–control study, we assessed differences in daily spiritual experiences between patients with breast cancer diagnoses and healthy controls in relation to other breast cancer risk factors. The participants were 201 newly diagnosed Polish patients with breast cancer (58 ± 6 years) and 201 age-matched healthy controls. Spiritual experiences were assessed using the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the DSES score for breast cancer diagnosis were calculated with logistic regression. The DSES score was significantly higher in the healthy controls than in the cases. After controlling for alcohol use, education, BMI, and rural residence, higher spirituality was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97–1.00). Two DSES item scores differed significantly between cases and controls, being lower in breast cancer cases: “I am spiritually touched by the beauty of creation” (p = 0.01) and “I feel selfless caring for others” (p = 0.049). After controlling for other variables (i.e., hormone replacement therapy, family history, breastfeeding, and diet quality), the DSES score was statistically non-significant (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97–1.006). Therefore, the original relationship DSES score and breast cancer was quite weak. Although the study found little relationship between the analyzed variables, presented differences in spirituality may differentiate the patterns of spiritual well-being among breast cancer patients; however, more data are needed from longitudinal study designs to establish causal inferences.
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Data Availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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This work was supported by Medical University of Gdansk under Grant: 01-0179/08/142).
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PZ: designed the study. DDB was responsible for data collection and data analysis. DDB wrote the paper with some input from PZ. PZ contributed in 40% of the paper. DDBendek contributed in 60% of the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. We confirm that this work is original and has not been published elsewhere, nor is it currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. We confirm that all authors listed have contributed to the planning, execution, and critical review of the submitted manuscript and that there are no conflicts of interest whatsoever.
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The study was accepted by the Bioethics Committee of the Medical University of Gdansk. Prior to the collection of any information participants were informed about aims and procedures of the study and provided their signed consent.
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Dydjow-Bendek, D., Zagozdzon, P. Breast Cancer and Spirituality Among Women in Poland: A Case–Control Study. J Relig Health 61, 4288–4301 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01584-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01584-8