Cultural Aspects of Palliative Cancer Care in Iran

Abstract

Sciences, Tehran, Iran Tel. +98 21 88655372 Palliative care is a human need, which is essential for patients with chronic disorders such as Fax: +98 21 88202521 cancer, and aims to prevent and relieve pain and improve the quality of life (QoL) of patients E-mail: leilakhanali@yahoo.com and their families. Since culture is an important factor in predicting health behavior, it can be effective in providing these services. Thus, this review study has been conducted to assess Special Edition 1 the cultural aspects of palliative care in Iran. The findings were classified and provided based Article Ref. #: 1000PMHCOJSE1110 on the definition of palliative care on three major topics including early diagnosis, during treatment and disease period, and finally death and later. In the beginning of diagnosis, the Article History most important element of palliative care is informing the disease to the patient and family. Received: March 6th, 2017 Disclosure of the disease in Iran is not culturally possible. The most important cultural barrier Accepted: June 5th, 2017 is cancer stigma in Iran, which affects the related measures such as screening diagnosis. The Published: June 6th, 2017 most important challenge in the treatment is pain management, which overshadowed factors such as cultural beliefs. Despite the challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, which make the care difficult, the religious and spiritual context of Iranian people in the death and Citation bereavement, as well as the strong family connections, are considered as a strong point that is Fallahi S, Rassouli M, Mojen LK. Cul- helpful in the process of passing from the stage. According to the statement of the Union for tural aspects of palliative cancer care International Cancer Control in 2008 based on “a better attitude toward cancer by 2020 and in Iran. Palliat Med Hosp Care Open J. 2017; SE(1): S44-S50. removing misconceptions about the disease”, the available cultural opportunities in the country can be considered as areas in need of strengthening. The negative attitudes and beliefs can be reformed by adopting strategies such as increasing the awareness of the community as the first strategy in changing the culture.