FAMILY MANAGEMENT IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE TREATMENT FOR BREAST CANCER

This study was to discuss the method of traditional therapy in breast cancer patients by using herbal medicines, spiritual, and family communication. The combination of this traditional therapy is done by traditional healer who is called „Namalo‟ in Batak Toba community. The data were gathered qualitatvely through indepth interviews with 7 (seven) informants - 3 (three) traditional healers and 4 (four) women who were affected by breast cancer. Therapeutic method done by traditional healers was based on suggestion. The factor of suggestion was done through giving herbal medicines, using special devices during the process of the treatment and some statements from a Namalo to give motivation to his patients. The factor of suggestion will establish self-confidence for both the Namalo and the patients that what has done by the traditional healer toward them makes them confident that he is capable of curing them and saving their lives. Besides that, spiritual factor helps them believe that they will recover from their illness through the visit of the church congregation members. The factor of family management has given its great contribution, commencing from the complaint about the illness, the treatment process, until the patients‟ recovery from their illness.