"Weaving balance into life": Development and cultural adaptation of a cancer symptom management toolkit for Southwest American Indians.

Publisher: Springer Science + Business Media Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101307557 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1932-2267 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 19322259 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Cancer Surviv Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: New York, N.Y. : Springer Science + Business Media, c2007-

Adaptation, Psychological* ; Attitude to Health* ; Culture* ; Indians, North American*; Neoplasms/*prevention & control ; Neoplasms/*psychology ; Survivors/*psychology; Communication ; Fatigue/prevention & control ; Humans ; Palliative Care ; Self Care ; Southwestern United States

Introduction: Self-management of cancer symptoms has the potential to decrease the suffering of cancer survivors while improving their health and quality of life. For many racial/ethnic groups, culturally appropriate self-management instruction is not readily available. This paper reports on the first symptom management toolkit developed for American Indian cancer survivors.
Methods: Part of a larger research study, a three-phase project tested a cancer symptom self-management toolkit to be responsive to the unique learning and communication needs of American Indians in the Southwest U.S.A. American Indian cancer survivors and family members participated in 13 focus groups to identify cultural concepts of cancer and illness beliefs, communication styles, barriers, and recommendations for self-management techniques. Sessions were audiotaped and transcriptions were coded using grounded theory.
Results: Participants expressed a need for an overview of cancer, tips on management of common symptoms, resources in their communities, and suggestions for how to communicate with providers and others. The "Weaving balance into life" toolkit is comprised of a self-help guide, resource directory, and video. Preferred presentation style and content for the toolkit were pilot tested.
Discussion/conclusions: American Indian survivors favor educational materials that provide information on symptom management and are tailored to their culture and beliefs. Suggestions for adapting the toolkit materials for other American Indian populations are made.
Implications for Cancer Survivors: Many cancer survivors lack effective self-management techniques for symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, and depression. The toolkit promotes self-management strategies for survivors and provides family members/caregivers tangible ways to offer support.

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R01 CA115358 United States CA NCI NIH HHS; R01 CA115358-04 United States CA NCI NIH HHS; T32 NR007077 United States NR NINR NIH HHS

Date Created: 20111214 Date Completed: 20120828 Latest Revision: 20240612

20240612

PMC3322251

10.1007/s11764-011-0209-3

22160662