What Role Does Faith Play in Breast Cancer Recovery?

Faith may influence a breast cancer recovery by helping a person gain a deeper understanding of their life’s meaning and purpose.

BY Bonnie Annis

PUBLISHED October 24, 2019

Bonnie Annis is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2014 with stage 2b invasive ductal carcinoma with metastasis to the lymph nodes. She is an avid photographer, freelance writer/blogger, wife, mother and grandmother.

Since the beginning of human history, religion and medicine have been deeply interconnected. But in recent decades, these concepts have started moving further apart—it’s important to understand what that means for breast cancer patients and survivors.

Until the early 1900s, medicine could be practiced by just about anyone. As you might expect, results weren’t that great. Before medical texts were available and licensing boards were established, members of the clergy were often called upon to perform the dual role of spiritual advisor and physician. Thankfully, as better methods for addressing disease were discovered, they replaced antiquated approaches, so these practices did not last.

As medicine and religion grew apart, physicians were empowered to focus on their roles as physiological healers while clergy members left medicine behind to focus on spiritual health. But is it possible that this separation has downsides? Could faith play an integral role in healing? As a survivor, I believe the answer to both of these questions is yes.  

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