. Hollis, OSF, MA, lor, MDiv, ACPE,

shortness of breath and psychologic symptoms such as depression have a negative impact on QOL.3,4 These symptoms and their management have been the focus of hospice researchers for more than a decade.5-8 spiritual well-being, physical health, and mental als who are diagnosed with ealization is growing that the al distress, and spiritual well-cer patients and other indi-terminal illnesses can affect their QOL.3,10-16 The spiritual ne advanced cancer have not been ever.17-21 The purpose of this stu spiritual needs of hospice pati The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimatesthat more than 1 300 000 people in the UnitedStates are diagnosed with cancer each year and that more than 570 000 die of cancer.1 At the same time, the National Hospice and Palliative Care shows that physical symptoms such as pain and Spiritual needs, spiritual distress, and spiritual well-being of patients with terminal illnesses can affect their quality of life. The spiritual needs of patients with advanced cancer have not been widely studied. This study assessed the spiritual needs of 90 patients with advanced cancer who were newly admitted to hospice home care. They completed a demographic data form and the Spiritual Needs Inventory shortly after hospice admission. Scores could range from a low of 17 to a high of 85; study scores were 23 to 83. Results showed great variability in spiri-tual needs. Being with family was the most frequently cited need (80%), and 50 % cited prayer as frequently or always a need. The most frequently cited unmet need was attending religious services. Results suggest the importance of a focus on the spiritual more than the reli-gious in providing care to patients at the end of life