It is a well-known fact that our world is becoming increasingly multicultural. The patient population continues to become more socio-culturally diverse as individuals from other countries immigrate to the United States.
Cultural diversity is a major challenge in cancer prevention and control.
While this diversity creates a rich mosaic of languages and customs, it can interfere in the interactions of health care professionals with individuals and families, especially those dealing with a diagnosis of cancer. Because we live in a global community where attitudes, beliefs, values, and customs vary among individuals and groups of individuals, health professionals are challenged to provide sensitive, effective health promotion and care in the cultural context of each individual and family. As more Americans turn to alternative or complementary therapies for treatment of cancer or other diseases, it is critical in the acceptance of diverse beliefs and customs to respond in a culturally sensitive manner. Recognizing and understanding the implications of these differing systems can enable nurses to more effectively deliver care. Depending on what book you read, there are a number of definitions for the word culture.