Liver Cancer Treatment — Spiritual Support

Spiritual Support for Liver Cancer 

Spiritual care can play an important role in the liver cancer treatment process. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we strive to provide a universal umbrella of spiritual support for liver cancer patients, as well as staff and family members. Our goal is to create an open and nurturing environment where all patients, from any faith, are inspired to use spirituality, in conjunction with other treatment modalities, to help strengthen their liver cancer treatment.

At CTCA, we recognize and respect that spirituality is an integral part of life. Research has suggested an interconnected nature between spirituality and healing; and recent studies have also found a striking correlation between good spiritual health and good physical health. Spirituality has also been related to low discomfort, decreased loneliness, and a healthier emotional adjustment among cancer patients.

As part of our whole-patient approach to liver cancer treatment, CTCA focuses on how the cancer experience affects people physically, emotionally and spiritually. Foundational aspects of spirituality include prayer, a sense of meaning in life, reflective reading and contemplation, a sense of closeness to a higher being, meaningful interactions with others, and other experiences that reflect spiritual interaction or awareness.

CTCA attempts to provide you and your loved ones with the opportunity to explore the spiritual component in your liver cancer care through a variety of programs and services that include:

• New patient orientation
• Individual and group prayer
• Prayer chains facilitated by hospital staff
• Counseling by a faith representative of your choice
• Weekly interfaith worship and communion services
• Patient growth and support groups that focus on healing, faith and life
• Pastoral comfort and support
• Assistance with the development of advanced directives and/or living wills
• Family consultations
• Taped ministry
• Interface and communication with your local pastor and church
• Telephone consultations with patients and/or family members

Spiritual Assessment

Upon your request, a member of the pastoral care staff will personally visit you within the first 48 hours of your initial admission for liver cancer treatment. This visitation helps us to develop a relationship and rapport with you (and your family as appropriate). This meeting will address your own unique spiritual needs and issues. All assessments will be person-centered, respecting your religion, culture and age. Ongoing assessment of your spiritual needs during your liver cancer treatment is driven by your and/or family members’ willingness to talk and share.

Spiritual Care

New liver cancer patients (first time admissions) are offered a voluntary group orientation session, which reviews the role of spiritual care. Based upon your choice and identified needs, our pastoral care team will work with you to develop a treatment plan for you.

Spiritual care at CTCA is divided into three main categories:

1. Assessment:  This consists of an initial assessment of your physical health and medical needs at the beginning of your liver cancer treatment. Throughout your care, our chaplains will interact regularly with you and other members of your care team to find ways to support you.

2. Direct Care:  Our chaplains are available for visitation, counsel, prayer, and patient rights issues. They can help you work through such issues as life values, suffering, healing, grief/loss, despair/hope, guilt/forgiveness, fear/peace and anger/acceptance.

3. Extended Care:  After you leave CTCA, we will continue to provide spiritual support by phone and through our spiritual outreach program and website, Our Journey of Hope^®.

Cancer Treatment Centers of America serves a significant population of non-local liver cancer patients. As a result, CTCA chaplains become the primary spiritual care provider during the in-patient liver cancer treatment period. The goal is to develop and maintain a relationship based on trust and rapport.