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Through a standpoint feminist perspective (Harding 2009) I conducted a situational analysis (Clarke, 2015) that examined academic literature and cancer support discussion boards (DBs) to identify how Western biomedicine, specifically oncology, can integrate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to improve cancer treatment in children. The aims of this project were:

Through a standpoint feminist perspective (Harding 2009) I conducted a situational analysis (Clarke, 2015) that examined academic literature and cancer support discussion boards (DBs) to identify how Western biomedicine, specifically oncology, can integrate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to improve cancer treatment in children. The aims of this project were: 1) to identify the CAM treatments that are being used to alleviate the side effects from oncological treatments and/or treat pediatric cancers; 2) to compare the subjective experience of CAM to Western biomedicine of cancer patients who leave comments on Group Loop, Cancer Compass and Cancer Forums, which are online support groups (N=20). I used grounded theory and situational mapping to analyze discussion threads. The participants identified using the following CAM treatments: herbs, imagery, prayer, stinging nettle, meditation, mind-body therapies and supplements. The participants turned to CAM treatments when their cancer was late-stage or terminal, often as an integrative and not exclusively to treat their cancer. CAM was more "effective" than biomedical oncology treatment at improving their overall quality of life and functionality. We found that youth on discussion boards did not discuss CAM treatments like the adult participants, but all participants visited these sites for support and verification of their cancer treatments. My main integration recommendation is to combine mind-body CAM therapies with biomedical treatment. This project fills the gap in literature that ignores the ideas of vulnerable populations by providing the experiences of adult and pediatric cancer patients, and that of their families. It is applicable to areas of the social studies of medicine, patient care, and families suffering from cancer. KEYWORDS: Cancer; Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Situational Analysis; Standpoint Feminism
ContributorsEsposito, Sydney Maria (Author) / Martinez, Airín (Thesis director) / Hruschka, Daniel (Committee member) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
With the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), there have been many breakthroughs with aid in assisting Scandinavian populations who are affected by autoimmune diseases. What has been found is CAM has been used since the eighteen hundreds to heal or even control the Scandinavian populations health problems.5 With

With the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), there have been many breakthroughs with aid in assisting Scandinavian populations who are affected by autoimmune diseases. What has been found is CAM has been used since the eighteen hundreds to heal or even control the Scandinavian populations health problems.5 With the use of botanical, mineral, and chemical therapies, the Scandinavian population has used these methods to create a starting block for their pathway to many different CAM therapies.5 Autoimmune diseases can be brought upon any person with little warning and are currently affecting over 23.5 million Americans.2 Researchers are still looking into how autoimmune disease are sneaking up on individuals and what can be done to help maintain or fix the state of the individual. If someone is known to have an autoimmune disease, it is vital they see a physician who specializes in these diseases to properly follow a treatment plan.
ContributorsTorres, Danielle Monique Doreen (Author) / Irving, Andrea (Thesis director) / Forouzeshyekta, Marjon (Committee member) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-12