Exploring the Impact of Cultural Influences on Ethnic Minority Cancer Patients in a Small Community

The purpose of the research was to investigate whether culture influences attributed to an oncology patient’s background have an effect on patient decision-making. 25 white and non-white oncology patients were surveyed for this study creating two separate arms. A survey was created and distributed to patients at a local community hospital. Patients were asked about factors relating to cultural influences and patient decision making, including any alternative therapy used, use of religious and cultural support, and any potential stigma experienced. Patients were also asked about whether they delayed seeing a doctor or initiating treatment and the reasons associated with these decisions. Results found that both white and non-white patients delayed seeing a doctor for various reasons, as well as experienced factors associated with cultural influences. This demonstrates that experiencing cultural influences related to background is not limited to minority groups. Few minority patients utilized factors relating to cultural influences, however were seen to have the higher rates of using religious support to cope. No patients surveyed delayed initiating treatment once they were made aware of their cancer diagnosis. Further research can be done using a larger sample size of patients and having an even balance of white and non-white oncology patients. Whether the study being conducted in a community hospital had an effect on the results should also be investigated.