UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: Psychosocial well-being is a major concern in cancer patients. The need for psychosocial support among cancer patients is well established in Western countries. However, psychosocial support of Asian cancer patients has received little attention in the literature. This paper reviewed the research articles on cancer support group interventions among Asian cancer patients for the past two decades. In addition, the Social-Cognitive Processing Theory (SCPT) of emotional adjustment to cancer provides a theoretical framework for a cognitive supportive group. It advocates that a positive and supportive social environment improves cognitive processing by allowing cancer patients to reflect and discuss thoughts and feelings caused by cancer. An additional objective of this paper is to examine whether the social cognitive support group approach is culturally fit with Asian cancer patients.

Methods: The computerized databases MEDLINE and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) were searched for research studies written in English from 1982 to October 2005 that addressed support groups, using the concepts of SCPT, among Asian populations. The studies could have been conducted in the United States or elsewhere. A total of ten articles were selected.

Results: Of the ten articles examined, six articles were related to cancer support groups. The review indicated that Asian cancer patients were interested and benefited from cancer support groups. The social-cognitive support group approach showed some promising benefits in Asian populations as it took Asian cultural values into consideration. Further research on psychosocial intervention among Asian cancer patients is urgently needed.