Attitudes and practices of families of children in treatment for cancer. A cross-cultural study.

A follow-up study was made of the prevalence of the use of unproven treatment methods by families of children being treated for cancer at UT M.D. Anderson Hospital. Information was also obtained about parental attitudes toward conventional and alternative treatments and their understanding of them, as well as the physicians' awareness of the use of alternative treatments. Cross-cultural comparisons were made to assess the differences between Hispanics and Anglos in their perceptions of treatment. Sixty-six parents responded to questionnaires (34 Anglo, 30 Hispanic, and two others), and the results in terms of prevalence of use were comparable to those obtained in an earlier study (less than 10%) at the same institution, as well as to those recently reported by investigators at another institution in northwestern U.S. No parents reported the use of Laetrile. Significant differences were found between the Anglos and Hispanics in their perceptions of the treatment administered at the hospital. A significant number of parents expressed a desire for more information from their physicians about all types of treatment. This study serves as a pilot project for a nationwide, multihospital study to be conducted in 1982.