Mindfulness and Buddhist principles in oncology: Risks, misconceptions and recommendations for ethical integration.
Journal of Psychosocial Oncology January 1, 2026 Chloe Wells, William van Gordon, Paul Barrows 3 citations
Mindfulness-based interventions are effective for psychological distress in cancer care, but their Western adoption raises ethical concerns about cultural appropriation of Buddhist wisdom. This paper examines these ethical implications for patients, practitioners, and researchers. It proposes modifications to ensure practitioners understand Buddhist philosophy and transparently communicate the tradition's origins to oncology patients. Recommendations include ethically introducing Buddhist principles, emphasizing clinician education on mindfulness's philosophical foundations—especially 'Right Mindfulness'—and fostering understanding that mindfulness is an ethically informed practice. The paper advocates for shared decision-making and trauma-informed adaptations while respecting the cultural origins and philosophical depth of this ancient practice.