It’s Not Over Till God Says So

Cancer patients who rely on religion to cope with their terminal illnesses are more likely to use intensive life-prolonging care, according to a study published in the March edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association. And, even though they may not live longer than their less-religiously active fellow patients, the faithful hold onto hope longer. “Religious copers may decide to undergo therapies with high risks and uncertain benefits because they trust that God could heal them through the proposed treatment,” the study authors wrote. Nearly 80% of the 345 patients with advanced cancer said their faith helped them cope — and more than 30% said their trust in God was “the most important thing that keeps you going.”