The cancer experiences of Chinese immigrants to Canada

Interviews were conducted with ten Chinese-Canadian cancer patients to examine the Chinese cancer patients' information needs and decision-making preferences in regard to cancer treatment selections.; The study findings revealed that the majority of participants preferred to have their physicians select cancer treatments for them. Two participants, however, wanted the opportunity to make choices themselves. All participants wanted their diagnosis revealed and the treatment options explained. Trust in the doctors, perceived lack of relevant knowledge are reasons given for delegating the decision-making responsibility to the doctor.; In addition to the initial objectives of the research, participants described the impact of cancer on themselves and their families and shared the strategies used to cope with the cancer experience. The use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was mentioned by some participants but others expressed concerns about the efficacy of such practices and the safety in the Canadian setting where traditional practitioners are not regulated.; Problems with language barriers, lack of awareness of existing services were some of the special issues raised by the participants. These hardships, however, were not shared by everyone.; What was most interesting about the findings was the limited way in which cultural values, beliefs and practices commonly found in the transcultural literature seemed to influence the decision-making preferences, information needs, and cancer experiences of these Chinese Canadian immigrants.