“I only asked God for help to get out of it” a qualitative study on the role of spirituality and religion among breast cancer survivors in Southern India

Breast cancer poses significant physical and psychological challenges for survivors, particularly in sociocultural contexts where spirituality and religion are deeply embedded in daily life. Interviews with 28 breast cancer survivors in India were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to explore how belief systems, community support, and faith practices contribute to emotional resilience and psychological strength during the cancer journey. Survivors from different religious backgrounds (Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam) revealed that spirituality served as a vital source of strength, with key themes including the perception of God as the ultimate healer, the transformative role of prayer, and the intensification of spiritual practices post-diagnosis. Faith served as a key coping tool, helping survivors manage uncertainty through spiritual practices and community support. Our findings highlight its role in holistic well-being and point to the value of exploring culturally sensitive spiritual care in Indian oncology settings.