Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42005171›Full record

ReviewCureus2026

Culturally Competent Oncology Care for Muslim Patients: A Case-Based Narrative Review of Barriers and Clinical Outcomes.

Omar Alkhabbaz, Asim Mohamed, Ahmed Alshaikhsalama, Shifa Kanjwal, Anas Alkhani, Bassel Atassi, Zahid Ahmad, Anas Alomar, Ayman Hallab, Luma Ghalib and 4 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Faith, Culture, and Cancer: A Qualitative Study Exploring Muslim Women's Perspectives on Clinical Trials in the United Kingdom.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Omar AlkhabbazTexas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, USA.
Asim MohamedInternal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
Ahmed AlshaikhsalamaOphthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
Shifa KanjwalHematology and Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
Anas AlkhaniInternal Medicine, Northside Hospital Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, USA.
Bassel AtassiHematology and Oncology, Little Company of Mary Medical Center, Evergreen Park, USA.
Zahid AhmadEndocrinology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
Anas AlomarInterventional Cardiology, Methodist Health System, Dallas, USA.
Ayman HallabNephrology, Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital, Bloomington, USA.
Luma GhalibEndocrinology and Diabetes, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, USA.
Asrar AlahmadiMedical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, USA.
Rania DroubiHealthcare Administration, University of Houston - Clear Lake, Houston, USA.
Hesham MouradPharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA.
Sawsan RashdanHematology and Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Given the growing Muslim population in the United States, oncology providers increasingly encounter patients whose healthcare decisions are deeply influenced by religious and cultural beliefs. This paper addresses existing gaps in culturally competent cancer care for Muslim patients, identifies barriers affecting healthcare utilization, and proposes practical solutions to enhance clinical outcomes, patient trust, and patient satisfaction. A case-based narrative review analyzes critical intersections between Islamic faith, cultural practices, and oncology care delivery. The case of a Muslim Syrian refugee woman with metastatic breast cancer is utilized to highlight real-world challenges related to delayed care-seeking behaviors, modesty and gender sensitivity, dietary restrictions, spiritual care needs, and end-of-life considerations. This analysis integrates findings from existing literature on health disparities, cultural competence frameworks, and ethical considerations relevant to oncology practice. Muslim patients frequently encounter unique barriers to timely cancer diagnosis and treatment, such as spiritual interpretations of illness, modesty-related concerns, adherence to dietary laws, and misconceptions about palliative care. These factors contribute to reduced participation in cancer screening and delayed care, adversely impacting clinical outcomes. In the featured case, personalized interventions - including care provided by a female Muslim oncologist, integration of spiritual practices, and respectful accommodation of Islamic values - markedly improved patient engagement, treatment acceptance, and overall satisfaction. To effectively serve Muslim oncology patients, healthcare systems and providers must embrace a culturally competent model of care. Training clinicians in cultural humility and Islamic healthcare considerations, implementing gender-sensitive protocols, ensuring access to halal dietary options, and integrating spiritual support can reduce healthcare disparities. An "Ask, Don't Judge" approach fosters patient-provider trust, ultimately promoting better clinical outcomes and enhancing patient experiences within oncology practice.

Indexed as

case-based narrative reviewcultural considerationscultural medicinegender-sensitive caremuslim populationoncology carepatient centered carespiritual care

Identifiers

PMID42005171
PMCPMC13086481

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.