title: How women with advanced cancer pray: a report from two focus groups.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the meaning, function, and focus of prayer for patients with advanced cancer, and to identify the effects of prayer on their coping.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative, descriptive design using focus groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three cancer centers that are part of a university-affiliated comprehensive cancer network in the northeastern United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  13 adult, female outpatients receiving active treatment for ovarian or lung cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two semistructured, focus group interviews were conducted. Audiotapes were transcribed verbatim. Data were coded and analyzed using standard content analysis procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prayer and coping.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four themes emerged: finding one's own way, renewed appreciation for life, provision of strength and courage, and gaining a stronger spiritual connection. In addition, praying for others, conversational prayer, petitionary prayer, ritual prayer, and thanksgiving prayer were used most often by participants to cope.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings support prayer as a positive coping mechanism for women with advanced ovarian or lung cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provides knowledge about prayer as a source of spiritual and psychological support. Oncology nurses should consider the use of prayer for patients coping with advanced cancer.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA. amyrex.smith@umb.edu
authors.forename: Amy Rex
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: DeSanto-Madeya
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Elizabeth F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Tracey
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: DeCristofaro
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: Shruti L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Mukkamala
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012067:Religion; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality