Negotiating Structural Vulnerability in Cancer Control

Case studies about the lived experiences of cancer can contribute to an interest in the concept of structural vulnerability by illustrating how quotidian experiences of structural vulnerability influence and are altered by a cancer diagnosis at various points in the continuum of care. A consideration of structural vulnerability can enhance applied anthropological work in cancer prevention and control by expanding the conceptualization of vulnerability to include spatiality, temporality, and biosocial shifts in individual and institutional arrangements.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 320 pages
\n Publication date: 30 March 2019
\n Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
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Introduction:
The concept of structural vulnerability has gained increasing attention in the field of cancer research and prevention. Structural vulnerabilities refer to the social, economic, and political factors that increase the risk of cancer development, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes. Case studies about the lived experiences of cancer can contribute to an interest in the concept of structural vulnerability by providing insights into the ways in which these vulnerabilities intersect with cancer risk, diagnosis, care seeking, caregiving, clinical-trial participation, and survivorship.

What can case studies about the lived experiences of cancer contribute to an interest in the concept of structural vulnerability?
Case studies about the lived experiences of cancer can contribute to an interest in the concept of structural vulnerability in several ways. Firstly, they can help to illustrate how quotidian experiences of structural vulnerability influence and are altered by a cancer diagnosis at various points in the continuum of care. For example, a case study of a low-income woman who faces barriers to accessing healthcare and has a higher risk of developing breast cancer can highlight how structural vulnerabilities intersect with cancer risk and influence treatment outcomes.

Secondly, case studies can help to extend structural vulnerability beyond its original conceptualization to encompass spatiality, temporality, and biosocial shifts in both individual and institutional arrangements. For example, a case study of a cancer patient who moves from one country to another for treatment can illustrate how structural vulnerabilities are influenced by geographical location, healthcare systems, and cultural norms.

Thirdly, case studies can help to identify the factors that contribute to structural vulnerability and the ways in which these factors can be addressed. For example, a case study of a community-based cancer prevention program can highlight the role of social determinants, such as poverty and lack of access to healthcare, in contributing to structural vulnerability and the ways in which these factors can be addressed through policy interventions and community-based efforts.

Can a consideration of structural vulnerability enhance applied anthropological work in cancer prevention and control?
A consideration of structural vulnerability can enhance applied anthropological work in cancer prevention and control in several ways. Firstly, it can help to identify the factors that contribute to structural vulnerability and the ways in which these factors can be addressed. By understanding the social, economic, and political factors that contribute to structural vulnerability, applied anthropologists can develop more effective and targeted interventions to address these factors and reduce the risk of cancer development and treatment outcomes.

Secondly, a consideration of structural vulnerability can help to improve the quality of care and support for cancer patients and their families. By recognizing the ways in which structural vulnerabilities intersect with cancer risk, diagnosis, care seeking, caregiving, clinical-trial participation, and survivorship, applied anthropologists can develop interventions that address these issues and improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families.

Thirdly, a consideration of structural vulnerability can help to promote equity and social justice in cancer prevention and control. By recognizing the ways in which structural vulnerabilities intersect with cancer risk, diagnosis, care seeking, caregiving, clinical-trial participation, and survivorship, applied anthropologists can develop interventions that address these issues and promote equity and social justice for all individuals, regardless of their social, economic, or political status.

In conclusion, case studies about the lived experiences of cancer can contribute to an interest in the concept of structural vulnerability by providing insights into the ways in which these vulnerabilities intersect with cancer risk, diagnosis, care seeking, caregiving, clinical-trial participation, and survivorship. A consideration of structural vulnerability can enhance applied anthropological work in cancer prevention and control by identifying the factors that contribute to structural vulnerability, improving the quality of care and support for cancer patients and their families, and promoting equity and social justice in cancer prevention and control.

\n Weight: 480g\n
Dimension: 154 x 235 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780826360311\n \n