Mindfulness and Buddhist principles in oncology: Risks, misconceptions and recommendations for ethical integration.
Chloe Wells, William van Gordon, Paul Barrows
Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 2026 DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2025.2551625 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation Buddhism |
| Keywords | Buddhist-informed interventions Cancer, ethical practice Cultural sensitivity Oncology |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key points | Argues that Westernised mindfulness-based interventions in oncology should be modified to include education on Buddhist philosophy and transparent communication about the tradition's origins to address ethical concerns about cultural appropriation. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions are gaining recognition as effective therapeutic tools for psychological distress in oncology. However, the widespread adoption of mindfulness in Western clinical contexts has raised ethical and philosophical concerns, particularly regarding the Westernisation and cultural appropriation of Buddhist wisdom. This paper examines the ethical implications of employing Buddhist-informed mindfulness in cancer care, focusing on issues affecting patients, practitioners, and researchers. We propose modifications to Westernised MBIs to ensure practitioners are knowledgeable about Buddhist philosophy and equipped to communicate the tradition's origins transparently to oncology patients. Recommendations include ethically and compassionately introducing Buddhist principles into oncology treatment, emphasising clinician education on the philosophical foundations of mindfulness, especially "Right Mindfulness." By fostering understanding that mindfulness is a long-standing ethically informed practice, practitioners can better support patients in addressing existential questions. We advocate for shared decision-making and trauma-informed adaptations, while respecting the cultural origins and philosophical depth of this ancient practice.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on buddhism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental balance and well-being: Building bridges between Buddhism and Western psychology. | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Buddhist Modernism and the Rhetoric of Meditative Experience | 1995 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Buddhist and Psychological Perspectives on Emotions and Well-Being | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Too Early to Tell: The Potential Impact and Challenges—Ethical and Otherwise—Inherent in the Mainstreaming of Dharma in an Increasingly Dystopian World | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| From self to nonself: The Nonself Theory | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Meditation awareness training (MAT) for people living with cancer: A thematic analysis of weekly diary reflections Journal of Psychosocial Oncology February 25, 2026
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions Integrating Buddhist-Wisdom Principles for Coping with Cancer: A Systematic Review Mindfulness December 13, 2025
- Adapting Meditation Awareness Training (MAT) for Individual Cancer Care: Clinical Guidelines and Illustrative Case Study Mindfulness July 29, 2026
Cites 8
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Calmer, Kinder, Wiser: A Novel Threefold Categorization for Mindfulness-Based Interventions Mindfulness December 26, 2023
- The role of mindfulness and relaxation in improved sleep quality following a mind-body and activity program for chronic pain Mindfulness September 1, 2021
- In search of mindfulness: a review and reconsideration of cultural dynamics from a cognitive perspective. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand May 18, 2021
- On the Buddhist roots of contemporary non-religious mindfulness practice: Moving beyond sectarian and essentialist approaches Temenos December 11, 2019
and 3 more in the library