Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in medical anthropology: the experience of Malaysian Chinese cancer survivors

Yew, Vivien Wong Chin and Mohd Noor, Noor Azlan (2015) Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in medical anthropology: the experience of Malaysian Chinese cancer survivors. Geografia: Malaysian Journal of Society and Space, 11 (1). pp. 183-193. ISSN 2180-2491 E-ISSN 2682-7727

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Abstract

Discussions on socially and culturally dominant values, beliefs and practices pertaining to patient’s health and culture are not isolated but integral to the practice of contemporary clinical medicine. Medical anthropologists play a unique role in redefining and repositioning the application of CAM in biomedical sciences. This article addresses the current state of knowledge regarding the distinction between medical anthropology and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Participant observations of, and in-depth interviews with ten Malaysian Chinese women cancer survivors were carried out to study their CAM use during and after cancer treatment. The results provide insights about the patterns of CAM use as well as the social and cultural factors under-pining the choice of CAM used by cancer survivors before and after treatment. The survivors’ preference for CAM use during cancer diagnosis was found to be influenced by their values, beliefs, and practices with respect to five distinct areas, namely, widespread acceptance of a combined Western and Eastern treatment, traditional Chinese philosophy, existential or life threatening situations, social relationships, and positive influences of global networks.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	cancer, Chinese community, complementary and alternative medicine, existential threat, integrative medicine, traditional Chinese philosophy
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Sociology & Anthropology
Depositing User:	Dr. Noor Azlan Mohd Noor
Date Deposited:	24 Oct 2023 15:32
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2023 15:37
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/107648

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