Abstract
This paper examines the concept of “equity of being” through a study of the lives of children with cancer. Although
society tends to place the individual at the center of discussions surrounding illness, medical anthropology
takes a broader view by looking at medicine and its practice as a cultural system, taking into account the role of
health professionals and health institutions. In the case of pediatric cancer therapy, multidisciplinary teams of
professionals, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, work together to support children’s recovery. Some children
make a good recovery and are able to continue receiving treatment, while others do not respond as well to therapies.
This paper explores how studying the cultural system of medicine for pediatric cancer can help us understand the
diverse trajectories of children’s lives after cancer therapy. By investigating this issue through health ethnography,
the author introduces the concept of “equity of being” as a way to promote a society that values the lives of all
children.
