摘要：Currently, cancer does not benefi t from an approach that explores cultural
infl uences which are embedded in the modality by which patients defi ne their
suff erance, require and use medical services and therapeutic options. In this paper
we aim to evaluate the manner in which the cultural background of the cancer
patient may infl uence the perception of a serious disease. For illustration purposes
we explored the cultural perception of the digestive cancer from the perspective of
the communication and understanding capacity of the medicine student on what
this disease represents for the patient. As research instrument we used the dialogue
technique in the form of conversation. The analysis of the information yielded
a series of common topics and similar signifi cations which infl uence the health
beliefs and the behavior of the cancer patient. The conclusion of our research is
that the approach of cancer from the point of view of cultural beliefs and values
supports the educational endeavor to emphasize in the training curriculum of future
doctors the eff ective exploration of the potential to correctly acknowledge what
cancer presently represents.
关键词：serious disease; cancer; cultural beliefs; students; education
curriculum;
