Cultural attitudes to cancer management in traditional South‐East Asian patients

TLDR

Cultural differences, particularly traditional South‑East Asian beliefs, can complicate shared decision‑making in oncology by affecting patients’ perceptions of diagnosis, treatment, and death, leading to disclosure conflicts and intervention avoidance. This review explores how Australasian‑trained oncologists experience and interpret cultural aspects in Singapore. The authors examine the background and interpretation of these cultural aspects through a narrative review. The review outlines traditional South‑East Asian health beliefs, offering oncologists a perspective for managing similar patients in Australasia’s multicultural community.

Abstract

Summary Cultural differences might influence patients’ attitudes to decision‐making for cancer management. In a Western medical system promoting shared decision‐making and patient autonomy, the effects of traditional South‐East Asian cultural and religious attitudes might provoke confusion for both the patient and health‐care provider. Especially in oncology, these beliefs might influence patients’ perceptions of diagnosis, symptoms, interventions and approaches to death. For the clinician, the potential conflicts in patient disclosure and discussion of diagnosis are evident, as well as patient avoidance of certain interventions. This review article explores the background and interpretation of cultural aspects experienced by Australasian‐trained oncologists working in Singapore. Explanations of traditional health beliefs of South‐East Asian patients are outlined, and provide a perspective for oncologists managing similar patients within Australasia's multicultural community.