Little is known about the use of bush medicine and traditional healing among Aboriginal Australians for their treatment of cancer and the meanings attached to it. A qualitative study that explored Aboriginal Australians' perspectives and experiences of cancer and cancer services in Western Australia provided an opportunity to analyse the contemporary meanings attached and use of bush medicine by Aboriginal people with cancer in Western Australia.
Results
The study findings have shown that as part of their healing some Aboriginal Australians
use traditional medicine for treating their cancer. Such healing processes and medicines
were preferred by some because it helped reconnect them with their heritage, land,
culture and the spirits of their ancestors, bringing peace of mind during their illness.
Spiritual beliefs and holistic health approaches and practices play an important role
in the treatment choices for some patients.
Conclusions
Service providers need to acknowledge and understand the existence of Aboriginal knowledge
(epistemology) and accept that traditional healing can be an important addition to
an Aboriginal person's healing complementing Western medical treatment regimes. Allowing
and supporting traditional approaches to treatment reflects a commitment by modern
medical services to adopting an Aboriginal-friendly approach that is not only culturally
appropriate but assists with the cultural security of the service.
http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/6/1/18
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