Quality of Life in Culturally Diverse Cancer Patients

Abstract

The increased ethnic diversity of many countries around the world, telecommunications technologies facilitating global information exchange, and international research collaborations are among the factors that have led to an enhanced appreciation of the importance of cultural factors in all aspects of life, including quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients and their families. There are many reasons why culture may affect cancer-related QOL. These include patterns of cancer diagnosis and treatment, historical factors, and cultural beliefs and values. Yet, despite all these fascinating speculations about the link between culture and QOL in cancer, much of what has been written to date remains just that: speculation. Empirical data to affirm cultural differences in cancer-related QOL are scarce. In this chapter, the authors provide a summary of the state-of-the-art in this area of study by reviewing relevant empirical research using different methodologies: studies of individual cultural groups, comparisons with normative data, and comparative studies. Each of these methods has strengths and weaknesses, as will be discussed. They also review current cross-cultural approaches to measuring QOL using self-administered questionnaires, which is currently the most common approach to QOL assessment. For the purposes of this chapter, they define QOL as patient-reported levels of physical, psychological, social, and/or spiritual/existential well-being. Other domains that are often included as part of cancer-related QOL including pain, will not be discussed here as they are addressed elsewhere in this volume. The authors are drawing on literature from around the world that investigates cultural influences in cancer patients in different countries, or racial/ethnic groups or subgroups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). (chapter)