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Spiritualität in der Onkologie

Spirituality and oncology

  • Leitthema
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Der Onkologe Aims and scope

Zusammenfassung

Spiritualität ist mehr als nur eine der „neuen“ Denkweisen, welche sich v. a. auf mystische Traditionen und fernöstliche Spiritualität beziehen. Spiritualität im eigentlichen Sinne betrifft eine wesentliche und zeitlose Dimension des Menschseins. Sie stellt über das eigene Ich hinaus gehende Fragen nach einer transzendentalen Ebene und dem eigentlichen Sinn des Daseins. Spiritualität kann nicht Leben verlängern oder gar Krebs heilen, dennoch kann sie sehr wohl Lebensqualität und Wohlbefinden verbessern. Viele komplementäre und alternative Heilmethoden besitzen eine mehr oder weniger große spirituelle Komponente, auch wenn bislang nur sehr wenige qualitativ verwertbare Studien zu diesem Themenkomplex existieren. Spiritualität sollte daher im onkologischen Kontext berücksichtigt werden und kann nicht grundsätzlich verworfen werden.

Abstract

This article discusses the role of spirituality in cancer patients. Spirituality is more than just a new way of thinking which includes mystic traditions and eastern philosophy. Spirituality means an essential and timeless dimension of personhood. It cannot extend life or heal cancer, but it can improve quality of life and one’s condition. Many complementary and alternative therapies include more or less spiritual aspects, although only little evidence on their effect is so far available. Spirituality should be considered in oncology and cannot be categorically discarded.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung Strahlentherapie und spezielle Onkologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland

    F. Bruns & D. Steinmann

  2. Klinik für Strahlentherapie und Radioonkologie, Franziskus-Hospital, Bielefeld, Deutschland

    O. Micke

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  1. F. Bruns
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  2. D. Steinmann
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  3. O. Micke
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Correspondence to F. Bruns.

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Bruns, F., Steinmann, D. & Micke, O. Spiritualität in der Onkologie. Onkologe 13, 490–498 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00761-007-1197-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00761-007-1197-9

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