The Applied Approach
The applied approach involves the application of prior anthropological theory, knowledge and methods to find a solution for specific problems that affect society. By using the applied method there is an application of different types of anthropology to solve a certain problem. The value of using this approach comes in pattern recognition and resolving a problem that continues to persist in modern societies. Specifically, the applied approach uses the knowledge that anthropologists already have and apply it to the a certain situation; this is why it is of great importance to understand disease/health. For pancreatic cancer, the applied approach can combine the biomedical approach with the ethnomedical and experiential approach to yield a form of healthcare that is effect for each individual. Without using the applied approach each piece of information in anthropology is used separately and is not used together to find a solution for a specific problem.
Globalization and Cancer
Global rates of cancer have been increasing, and it has been discovered that this is because there is a mixture of risk factors in many of our societies. A study by Annie Sasco states that, "Critically, new cancer risk factors have also appeared, concurrent with globalization: modern diet, addictive products, pharmaceuticals, and toxic and waste products (Sacco, 2008)." But while there is an increase in the spread of all kinds of cancers, there are global initiatives that are being taken to prevent the spread of all cancers. According to UAB news, Isabel Scarinci (shown at the bottom of the page) "has been appointed associate director for globalization and cancer at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center (Thannickal, 2014)." The National Cancer Institute has started to address the increase of world wide cancer rates and have created programs to address. I understand that this does not directly address the rates of pancreatic cancer, but it does have major implications on how the world is starting to view cancer in general. The globalization of health and treatment development is one of the greatest implementations of the applied approach, and may be able to shed some light on a cure for many types of cancer (including pancreatic cancer).
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Working with Pancreatic Cancer
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, picture shown at the bottom of the page, has many services for people with pancreatic cancer and even has a one-on-one support system to help patients understand what to do next with their disease. The program is called the Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) program and has trained associates to answer all the questions that patients have about pancreatic cancer. PALS has information about: treatment options, clinical trials, disease information, specialist physicians, diet and nutrition, side effect management, support resources, and other pancreatic cancer related services. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network uses many anthropological approaches to uphold their promises to patients. I believe that they use the ethnomedical approach and theories to understand people of a specific culture, and they use the biomedical methods/theory to gather biological facts about pancreatic cancer. There are other aspects of anthropology that I feel this network uses to effectively to convey information and support patients.
The Advantage of an Anthropologist
A medical anthropologist can provide context to medical situations and I feel that it makes a world of difference to the patient. By context, I mean a medical anthropologist can see how culture and other external factors effect his illness or perception of a certain disease. For an example I would like to talk about my grandfather again. When grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic disease, he did not understand it and actually referred to it as the "unspoken disease" (rough translation) and it was his cultural belief that the best way to handle the illness was to let God determine his outcome. The way he felt about his disease is something that I feel is left out or overlooked by healthcare professionals, governments, and other overarching organizations. But, to me, this is the most important aspect of illness and should be looked at with the most attention.
Bibliography:
The applied approach involves the application of prior anthropological theory, knowledge and methods to find a solution for specific problems that affect society. By using the applied method there is an application of different types of anthropology to solve a certain problem. The value of using this approach comes in pattern recognition and resolving a problem that continues to persist in modern societies. Specifically, the applied approach uses the knowledge that anthropologists already have and apply it to the a certain situation; this is why it is of great importance to understand disease/health. For pancreatic cancer, the applied approach can combine the biomedical approach with the ethnomedical and experiential approach to yield a form of healthcare that is effect for each individual. Without using the applied approach each piece of information in anthropology is used separately and is not used together to find a solution for a specific problem.
Globalization and Cancer
Global rates of cancer have been increasing, and it has been discovered that this is because there is a mixture of risk factors in many of our societies. A study by Annie Sasco states that, "Critically, new cancer risk factors have also appeared, concurrent with globalization: modern diet, addictive products, pharmaceuticals, and toxic and waste products (Sacco, 2008)." But while there is an increase in the spread of all kinds of cancers, there are global initiatives that are being taken to prevent the spread of all cancers. According to UAB news, Isabel Scarinci (shown at the bottom of the page) "has been appointed associate director for globalization and cancer at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center (Thannickal, 2014)." The National Cancer Institute has started to address the increase of world wide cancer rates and have created programs to address. I understand that this does not directly address the rates of pancreatic cancer, but it does have major implications on how the world is starting to view cancer in general. The globalization of health and treatment development is one of the greatest implementations of the applied approach, and may be able to shed some light on a cure for many types of cancer (including pancreatic cancer).
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Working with Pancreatic Cancer
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, picture shown at the bottom of the page, has many services for people with pancreatic cancer and even has a one-on-one support system to help patients understand what to do next with their disease. The program is called the Patient and Liaison Services (PALS) program and has trained associates to answer all the questions that patients have about pancreatic cancer. PALS has information about: treatment options, clinical trials, disease information, specialist physicians, diet and nutrition, side effect management, support resources, and other pancreatic cancer related services. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network uses many anthropological approaches to uphold their promises to patients. I believe that they use the ethnomedical approach and theories to understand people of a specific culture, and they use the biomedical methods/theory to gather biological facts about pancreatic cancer. There are other aspects of anthropology that I feel this network uses to effectively to convey information and support patients.
The Advantage of an Anthropologist
A medical anthropologist can provide context to medical situations and I feel that it makes a world of difference to the patient. By context, I mean a medical anthropologist can see how culture and other external factors effect his illness or perception of a certain disease. For an example I would like to talk about my grandfather again. When grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic disease, he did not understand it and actually referred to it as the "unspoken disease" (rough translation) and it was his cultural belief that the best way to handle the illness was to let God determine his outcome. The way he felt about his disease is something that I feel is left out or overlooked by healthcare professionals, governments, and other overarching organizations. But, to me, this is the most important aspect of illness and should be looked at with the most attention.
Bibliography:
- "One-on-One Support - Pancreatic Cancer Action Network." Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. http://www.pancan.org/section-facing-pancreatic-cancer/oneonone-support/ (accessed August 10, 2014).
- Sasco, Annie J.. "Cancer and globalization." Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy 62, no. 2 (2008): 110-121.
- "Special Donation Page." Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. https://netcommunity.pancan.org/image/special-donation-pages/donation_header_year-end_2013.jpg (accessed August 10, 2014).
- Thannickal, Beena. "UAB News - Isabel Scarinci to help expand global outreach for cancer in new role." UAB -. http://www.uab.edu/news/faculty/item/4910-isabel-scarinci-appointed-associate-director-for-globalization-and-cancer-at-uab-comprehensive-cancer-center (accessed August 10, 2014).