Compare and Contrast at Least 5 Cultural or Ethnic Beliefs in the Treatment of Cancer

Treatment of Cancer

Cultural and Ethnical Related

Beliefs in the Treatment of Cancer

Healthcare disparities among cultural or ethnic lines have been shown to not be as totally unbalanced burdens from disease, disability or death. Particular populations or groups when compared to the majority of the population are at an obvious disadvantage but not as wide a gap as they would have you believe. "Racial or ethnic differences in the quality of health care are not due to access-related factors or clinical needs, preferences and appropriateness of intervention." (Smedley, Stith, & Nelson, 2002) The true problem is that there are unique cultural and ethnic beliefs that could be affecting the overall care these groups receive. This report will attempt to compare and contrast at least five cultural or ethnic beliefs in the treatment of cancer to see if those beliefs do in fact affect the overall care received.

The treatment of cancer has various approaches and program objectives vary. There is no one system for the treatment of cancer that works every time. But, is there a clear distinction that there is a healthcare related disparity among segments or subpopulations of the total population? The treatment of cancer must take into consideration each individual case to ensure that the terminology, comparison population, health areas, and segments of the population are treated equally in the treatment of the disease as a whole.

The first cultural belief this report focuses on are the very successful results of clinical trials in the treatment of cancer that may never be applied to minority groups. Cultural and minority groups have been shown to not completely understand the significance of cancer related clinical trials and can even follow the belief that they would be guinea pigs if they participated even after it could be demonstrated that participants of clinical trials receive excellent medical care. Often, these cultural or minority groups are simply not aware that clinical trials are even an option in the treatment of cancer or they simply do not understand how a clinical trial works.

A second belief is that there is a huge disparity between the healthcare treatment defined by the socioeconomic status, age, geographic area, gender, race or ethnicity, language, customs and other cultural factors in the treatment of cancer. The report reviews cancer related literature to see if there is truth to those beliefs in regard to disparities of treatment.

A third cultural or ethnic belief this report addresses is the meaning of disease related death and how one culture accepts death as opposed to other cultures. How certain factions of the population integrate healthcare into their religion for example affects the healthcare system's ability to treat patients. The treatment of cancer is directly affected by the secular schools of thought. Cultural beliefs directly affected by faith-based treatments such as Anglican, Catholic, or Jewish may not be accepted by the Muslim philosophy for example so the charge of healthcare discrimination may apply by this way of thinking.

A forth cultural and minority related belief that this report addresses is the treatment men and women receive in regard to cancer. The question of minorities and other cultural breakdowns considering the gender role as a clear disparity line in the treatment of cancer. And finally, the final belief that is addressed is if disease management programs are fair in the treatment of cancer for minorities and culturally diverse groups?