R.B., a single, 23-year-old Hopi woman presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding to the Indian Health Service Clinic.

This case study is a multidisciplinary review of the case of a Hopi woman with cervical cancer. The eight discussants, representing a medical oncologist, social workers, a clinical dietician, clinical nurse specialist, medical researchers, and a psychologist, all emphasize the importance of treating the whole patient. Most expressed the need to understand and account for the socioeconomic and cultural barriers that could, and often do, affect treatment and outcomes. The healthcare team needs to be aware of cultural differences and to be willing to use the patient's cultural resources whenever possible. The patient should be able to understand the proposed treatment, its consequences and possible outcomes, and to feel a part of the process.