Exploring the Role of Faith in Survival Breast Cancer

Exploring the Role of Faith in Survival of Breast Cancer by Franklin D. Lewis, Jr. MS, Walden University, 2007 MA, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 2000 BS, Lee University, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University November 2016 Abstract In 2013, approximately 232,340 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and an estimated 39,620 women would die as a result of breast cancer. Stage I breast cancer can often be treated, but Stage IV breast cancer presents more difficulties in treatment, as it spreads to the bones, liver, or other areas of the body. Consequently, women with Stage IV breast cancer have very low 18 month and 5-year survival rates. According to some statistics, 79.5% of the United States population claim to be Christian. Much of this segment of the population uses faith to guide most aspects of their lives, including issues pertaining to their health. The purpose of this study was to explore how women integrated faith into their lived experience of combating cancer. This mixed method phenomenological study examined the perceived attributions for survival among a group of 32 breast cancer survivors of various ages and cancer stages in the tristate area of Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Faith related attributions for survival were more commonly reported among women who also reported affiliation to Christianity than women who did not express religious affiliation; however, faith related attributions often also incorporated the restorative effects of standard medical procedures. The implications for positive social change in this study includes the potential inclusion of faith in developing culturally appropriate strategies for treatment and recovery of many illnesses, including cancer.In 2013, approximately 232,340 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and an estimated 39,620 women would die as a result of breast cancer. Stage I breast cancer can often be treated, but Stage IV breast cancer presents more difficulties in treatment, as it spreads to the bones, liver, or other areas of the body. Consequently, women with Stage IV breast cancer have very low 18 month and 5-year survival rates. According to some statistics, 79.5% of the United States population claim to be Christian. Much of this segment of the population uses faith to guide most aspects of their lives, including issues pertaining to their health. The purpose of this study was to explore how women integrated faith into their lived experience of combating cancer. This mixed method phenomenological study examined the perceived attributions for survival among a group of 32 breast cancer survivors of various ages and cancer stages in the tristate area of Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Faith related attributions for survival were more commonly reported among women who also reported affiliation to Christianity than women who did not express religious affiliation; however, faith related attributions often also incorporated the restorative effects of standard medical procedures. The implications for positive social change in this study includes the potential inclusion of faith in developing culturally appropriate strategies for treatment and recovery of many illnesses, including cancer. Exploring the Role of Faith in Survival Breast Cancer by Franklin D. Lewis, Jr. MS, Walden University, 2007 MA, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 2000 BS, Lee University, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University November 2016 Acknowledgements I want to thank God first and foremost for allowing me the opportunity to complete such a study and literally being the inspiration for a study like this. I have seen Him perform miracles, which was a major part of wanting to see how others view His help. I also want to offer my sincere gratitude to my committee chair, Dr. Precilla Belin, for the help and guidance she provided. I also appreciate my other committee members, originally Dr. Daniel Roysden and then Dr. Frazier Beatty, who also gave me positive guidance and support. The other support staff and academic advisors at Walden also understood and were helpful in the completion of my study when I had trouble gathering data, and they extended my completion time. I cannot show enough appreciation for that. I want to thank the faculty at Mid-Continent University, where I worked, who gave me guidance and helped as I worked on my dissertation, especially Dr. Keith Roach, who was extremely helpful with the statistics portion of my study as well.