Integrating Buddhist Teachings in Counselling and Psychotherapy for Cancer Patients: A Review with Focus on Dharma Therapy

Cancer is a widespread global health issue and one of the leading causes of death in humans. It is a chronic disease with multiple causes, including genetic factors, lifestyle choices such as tobacco use, certain infections, and environmental exposures to chemicals and radiation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer was the second leading cause of death globally in 2018, with 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million deaths, accounting for 1 in 6 deaths worldwide. The WHO also projected that the number of new cancer cases in low-income countries would increase by more than 80% between 2018 and 2030, a rate double that expected in high-income countries (40%) (WHO, 2018). The WHO also projected that the number of new cancer cases in low-income countries would increase by more than 80% between 2018 and 2030, a rate double that expected in high-income countries (40%) (WHO, 2018). The WHO's 2022 report highlighted nearly 10 million cancer-related deaths in 2020, confirming cancer as a leading cause of death globally. The most commonly diagnosed cancers are breast, lung, colon, rectum, and prostate. It is estimated that the number of new cancer cases will increase from 19.3 million in 2020 to 30.2 million by 2040 (GCO, 2022). double that expected in high-income countries (40%) (WHO, 2018). The WHO's 2022 report highlighted nearly 10 million cancer-related deaths in 2020, confirming cancer as a leading cause of death globally. double that expected in high-income countries (40%) (WHO, 2018). The WHO's 2022 report highlighted nearly 10 million cancer-related deaths in 2020, confirming cancer as a leading cause of death globally.