Exploring the Spiritual Dimension: A Scoping Review of Spiritual Experiences among Individuals with Cancer

Spirituality significantly shapes how individuals with cancer cope with illness and find meaning throughout the course of the disease. As cancer continues to impose a global burden, understanding these spiritual experiences is essential for holistic, patient-centred care. This scoping review synthesises existing evidence on the constructs and dimensions of spiritual experiences among adults with cancer. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, a systematic search was conducted using medical subject headings terms and keywords across PubMed, Google Scholar and other sources. Eligible studies included adults with confirmed cancer and examined their spiritual experiences. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method studies published in English were included. After screening 1,098 records, 133 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were charted to summarise study characteristics and derive key themes. Among the 133 included studies, 73 were qualitative, 55 were quantitative and 5 were mixed-method. Research spanned 39 countries and included participants across the cancer progression from diagnosis to survivorship and palliative care. Publication trends indicated a steady increase in interest since 2000. Assessment of qualitative component identified core codes of (1) Relationship/Association with God or a Higher Power, (2) Spiritual Practices and Coping, (3) Inner Strength and Transformation, (4) Meaning-Making and Existential Themes, (5) Spiritual Responses and (6) Community and Interconnectedness. Patients frequently relied on prayer, faith and rituals as primary coping mechanisms. Many described inner transformation, strengthened resilience and renewed life purpose. Existential reflections on mortality and life’s meaning were common. Some patients also reported spiritual struggles, including doubt or perceived abandonment, reflecting the multidimensional nature of spirituality. The present scoping review explores the multi-dimensional nature of experiences influencing coping, meaning-making, and emotional well-being across illness trajectories. The six identified categories reflect how patients draw on faith, practices, inner strength and community, while navigating through spiritual struggles. The wide variation in constructs and assessment tools underscores the need for more context-specific and culturally sensitive approaches. Integrating spiritual dimension into cancer care can support more holistic, patient-centred care and direction for future research in this area.