Reviewed: Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Health, illness and healing are determined in part by our cultural experience. According to the 2001 Census, Canada has the second highest proportion of population born outside the country (18%) representing over 200 ethnic groups. Within Canada, British Columbia ranks first with the highest proportion of visible minorities (22% of its total population). In spite of this ethnic diversity and the increasing incidence of cancer, cross-cultural cancer research remains an underdeveloped area. The purpose of the cross-cultural research stream is to increase our understanding about the way culture affects patients' health behaviours, their experience of cancer and their interaction with the cancer care system and translate this knowledge into the planning and implementation of culturally competent care interventions.
- Palliative Care in the Cross Cultural Context
- Cancer Health Behaviours, Attitudes towards Sexuality, and Acculturation: Decreasing disparities in East Asian women
- The Role of Acculturation in the Interaction Between Barriers to Cancer Screening and Sexuality-related Beliefs and Behaviours
- A Methodology to Understand Cancer Screening Behaviour of Culturally Diverse Populations: A feasibility study using administrative data
- Understanding the Psychosocial needs of Chinese Cancer Patients and their Caregivers
- Interpreters in Cancer Care
- PSSCAN Translation into Chinese and Punjabi
- Cancer Incidence and Mortality in BC Indo-Canadians
- A Qualitative Investigation of Beliefs, Ways of Coping, Family Functioning and Distress in a Canadian Sample of Punjabi-Speaking Women with Breast Cancer
- Building Collaborative Communities for Cross Cultural Cancer Research and Care
- Exploring Complementary and Alternative Theraoy Use by First and Second Generation Chinese - A Feasability Study
- Exploring Integration Issues in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies by Chinese Cancer Patients
- Prevalence of Traditional Chinese Medicine Use Among Chinese Cancer Patients in British Columbia, Canada
- Use of Alternative Therapies by Chinese Living in Canada
- Multidisciplinary Approach to Understanding and Reducing Cancer Disparities
- Overcoming Systemic Barriers to Psychosocial Support: Understanding the Needs of Chinese Cancer Patients
- Understanding the Current Practice of Interpreting: Implications for Policy Development
- Use of Screening Programs by Immigrants
1. Palliative Care in the Cross Cultural Context: A NET for Equitable and Quality Care for Culturally Diverse Populations.
Investigators: Richard Doll, Dr. Arminée Kazanjian, Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena, Dr.Gillian Fyles, Dr. Grace Johnston & Dr. Anne Leis. Coordinator Patricia Nelson
Funding provided by: Canadian Institutes for Health Research
Funded period: November 2004 - March 2009
Bringing together researchers from BCCA-SRC, University of British Columbia, University of Saskatchewan and Dalhousie University, the New and Emerging Team is a 5 year project funded by CIHR to develop research and training capacity in the area of culture and cancer palliative care. The multidisciplinary team supports research in the streams of Access, Caregivers and Complementary and Alternative Therapies; trains masters, doctoral and post-doctoral students. facilitates cross fertilization of research expertise to develop conceptual approaches and research tools for palliative care in the cross cultural context.
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2. Cancer Health Behaviours, Attitudes towards Sexuality and Acculturation: Decreasing disparities in East Asian Women
Investigators: Dr. Lori Brotto (PI), Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena & B. Gorzalka
Funding provided by: Herro CIHR Seed Funds
Funded period: 2006
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3. The Role of Acculturation in the Interaction Between Barriers to Cancer Screening and Sexuality-related Beliefs and Behaviours
Investigators: Dr. Lori Brotto (PI), Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena & B. Gorlzalka
Funding provided by: Hampton Fund Research Grant in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Funded period: 2006-2008
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4. A Methodology to Understand Cancer Screening Behaviour of Culturally Diverse Populations: A feasibility study using administrative data
Investigators: Dr. Arminée Kazanjian, Dr. Greg Hislop, Dr. Susan Cadell, Alice Chen, Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena & Marie Desmeules
Funding provided by: CIHR
Funded period: 2006
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5. Understanding the Psychosocial needs of Chinese Cancer Patients and their Caregivers.
Investigators: Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena (PI), Dr. Lyren Chiu, Richard Doll & Dr. Chong Teh.
Funding provided by: BC Medical Services Foundation, Heritage Canada's Multiculturalism Program
Funded perioed: January 2004 - December 2004
This project is aimed at furthering our understanding of the psychosocial, social and cultural needs of Chinese cancer patients and their caregivers. As it is know that support programs are only effective when they are congruent with the values and beliefs of participants, the main objective of the study is to work in collaboration with the Chinese community to include participants' values and beliefs in the planning of resources. The research team is working in close collaboration with a community advisory committee to understand support issues emerging from the unique Chinese experience of cancer.
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6. Interpreters in Cancer Care: Communication Issues and Experiences
Investigators: Dr.Maria Cristina Barroetavena (PI), Beth Stanger, Suzanne Barclay, Kiran Malli, Dr. Susan Cadell, Violet Poruchko, Gina MacKenzie & Merissa Myles.
Funding provided by: BC Cancer Agency
Funded period: January 2004 - December 2004
This study is a partnership between the BC Cancer Agency, the Provincial Health Services Authority, Fraser Health Authority and Vancouver Health Authority. Using focus group methodology, this study examines the communication issues and experiences of Chinese and Punjabi speaking interpreters working in the context of cancer care.
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7. PSSCAN Translation into Chinese & Punjabi
Investigators: Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena & Dr. Wolfgang Linden.
Funding provided by: BC Cancer Agency
Funded period: September 2004 - 2005
17% of new patients at the Vancouver Cancer Centre speak a Chinese dialect. In order to use the Psychosocial Screening tool (PSSCAN) with Chinese speaking patients, the tool was translated from English to Chinese and back translated into English to check for cultural sensitivity and accurancy. The translated PSSCAN was reviewed by an expert panel of Chinese speaking patients and health care professionals.
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8. Cancer Incidence and Mortality in BC Indo-Canadians
Investigators: Dr. Greg Hislop (PI), Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena & Sita Ram Saroa
Funding provided by: BC Cancer Agency
Funded period: September 2004 - 2005
The main objective of this descriptive study is to determine and compare the relative frequencies of cancer cases, and cancer related deaths, by site among South Asians (Indo-Canadians) in B.C. and to compare this pattern with that of B.C.' s general population.
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9. A Qualitative Investigation of Beliefs, Ways of Coping, Family Functioning and Distress in a
Canadian Sample of Punjabi-speaking Women with Breast Cancer
Investigators: Dr. Joanne Stephen, Richard Doll, Gina MacKenzie, Balbir Gurm, Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena & Dr. Susan Cadell
Funding provided by: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
Funded period: 2003
Research on women with breast cancer documents that psychosocial distress is widespread, although mediated by many factors including family support and methods of coping. Although there has been considerable research documenting the experience of English speaking Caucasian women from middle and upper classes, much less is known about the experience of women from ethnically diverse populations who are under-represented in research studies. In the absence of knowledge, health professionals may operate from assumptions and stereotypes regarding factors such as beliefs and spirituality, decision-making, the role of family and ways of coping. The objective of the current study was to investigate the experiences and beliefs of Punjabi-speaking women with breast cancer in order to understand factors relevant to this population's psychosocial functioning.
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10. Building Collaborative Communities for Cross Cultural Cancer Research and Care
Steering Committee Chair: Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena
Investigators: Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena (PI), Dr. Joanne Stephen, Richard Doll, Dr. Lyren Chiu,
Dr. Arminée Kazanjian, Dr. Susan Cadell & Elizabeth Stanger.
Funding provided by: CIHR, NCIC, BCCF
Funded period: 2003 - February 2004
In February 2004, the first national workshop on cross cultural cancer research and care was held in Vancouver, BC. Building Collaborative Communities brought together over 60 national stakeholders, including policy makers, researchers, health professionals and community members to outline priority research areas in the areas of communication, complementary and alternative health care, and palliative/end of life care.
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11. Exploring Complementary and Alternative Therapy Use by First and Second Generation Chinese: A feasability study
Investigators: Dr. Lyren Chiu (PI), Dr. Lynda Balneaves, Richard Doll & Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena
Funding provided by: Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network & Centre for Behavioural Research & Program Evaluation - National Cancer Institute of Canada
Funded period: September 2003 to August 2005
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12. Exploring Integration Issues in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies by Chinese Cancer Patients
Investigators: Dr. Lyren Chiu (PI), Dr. Lynda Balneaves, Richard Doll & Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena
Funding provided by:
Funded period: September 2004 - August 2005
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13. Prevalence of Traditional Chinese Medicine Use Among Chinese Cancer Patients in British Columbia, Canada
Investigators: M. Ferro, Dr. Anne Leis, Dr. Lyren Chiu, Richard Doll & Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena
August 2005 to June 2006
Funding provided by: Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network & Centre for Behavioural Research & Program Evaluation - National Cancer Institute of Canada
Funded period: August 2005 - June 2006
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14. Use of Alternative Therapies by Chinese Living in Canada
Investigators: Dr. Lyren Chiu (PI), Richard Doll & Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena
Funding provided by: Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network - National Cancer Institute of Canada
Funded period: March 2004 to March 2005
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15. Multidisciplinary Approach to Understanding and Reducing Cancer Disparities
Investigators: Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena (PI) & Richard Doll
Funding provided by: Canadian Institutes for Health Research
Funded period: August 2005 to August 2006
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16. Overcoming Systemic Barriers to Psychosocial Support: Understanding the Needs of Chinese Cancer Patients
Investigators: Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena (PI) & Richard Doll
Funding provided by: British Columbia Medical Services Foundation - Vancouver Foundation
Funded period: March 2004 to February 2006
While Canada is characterized by ethnic diversity and boasts a universal health care system, race and ethnicity continue to function as systematic barriers to accessing and providing services. The main objectives of this study are to understand the experiences and concerns of Chinese cancer patients and their caregivers in relation to their psychosocial supportive care needs and use of informal and formal support resources. Questions addressed include the following: what are the barriers to access to supportive care services?; what are the current resources available in the Chinese community?; and what type of services would be helpful for patients and families living with cancer?
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17. Understanding the Current Practice of Interpreting: Implications for Policy Development
Investigators: Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena (PI), Dr. Susan Cadell & Gina MacKenzie
Funding provided by: Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council
Funded period: October 2005 to October 2006
The study was prompted by the need to understand the experience of certified health care interpreters in British Columbia and to contribute new knowledge towards the development of best practices for British Columbia with applicability across Canada. This study builds upon preliminary focus group findings conducted by the research team, in which interpreters reported that they face dilemmas and are required to make decisions that are not easily guided by current standards of practice. Our goal is to develop a deeper understanding of the interpreter experiences through a rigorous process of content analysis and interpreters self confrontation.
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18. Use of Screening Programs by Immigrants
Investigators: Dr. Greg Hislop, Dr. Arminée Kazanjian & Dr. Maria Cristina Barroetavena
Funding provided by: BC Cancer Agency
Funded period: October 2004 to 2005
Developmental work is underway to ascertain the feasability of linking the BCCA Cancer Registry with Canadian Immigration data. The purpose of this project is to understand the use of screening programs by immigrants.
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