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

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.