Multicultural approaches of cancer pain

The objective of this thematic review is to investigate the relationship between ethnicity and cancer pain experience, assessment and management. Recent findings Cancer pain is not only a biophysiological construct but is rather a multidimensional concept of physiological and psychosocial responses, including the biocultural dimension. Culture can significantly affect patients’ cancer pain-related beliefs and behaviors and patient's ethnicity may influence the experience of pain. We found a scarcity of data and an inconsistent literature that highlights gaps in knowledge, research and clinical practice concerning effective cancer pain management in a multicultural context. Summary To face disparities among ethnic minorities in cancer pain management, well-designed randomized controlled trials and robust qualitative research on cancer pain-related issues should inform good clinical practice. A close worldwide collaboration between researchers and clinicians and professional organizations is warranted.
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: SUPPORTIVE CARE: Edited by Jean A. Klastersky Source Type: research