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. 2024 Feb;18(1):84-123.
doi: 10.1007/s11764-023-01336-x. Epub 2023 Mar 1.

Psychosocial experiences of breast cancer survivors: a meta-review

King R  1 , Stafford L  1 , Butow P  2 , Giunta S  2 , Laidsaar-Powell R  3
Affiliations

Psychosocial experiences of breast cancer survivors: a meta-review

King R et al. J Cancer Surviv. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: Advances in breast cancer care have led to a high rate of survivorship. This meta-review (systematic review of reviews) assesses and synthesises the voluminous qualitative survivorship evidence-base, providing a comprehensive overview of the main themes regarding breast cancer survivorship experiences, and areas requiring further investigation.

Methods: Sixteen breast cancer reviews identified by a previous mixed cancer survivorship meta-review were included, with additional reviews published between 1998 and 2020, and primary papers published after the last comprehensive systematic review between 2018 and 2020, identified via database searches (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO). Quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Reviews and the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative) checklist for primary studies. A meta-ethnographic approach was used to synthesise data.

Results: Of 1673 review titles retrieved, 9 additional reviews were eligible (25 reviews included in total). Additionally, 76 individual papers were eligible from 2273 unique papers. Reviews and studies commonly focused on specific survivorship groups (including those from ethnic minorities, younger/older, or with metastatic/advanced disease), and topics (including return to work). Eight themes emerged: (1) Ongoing impact and search for normalcy, (2) Uncertainty, (3) Identity: Loss and change, (4) Isolation and being misunderstood, (5) Posttraumatic growth, (6) Return to work, (7) Quality of care, and (8) Support needs and coping strategies.

Conclusions: Breast cancer survivors continue to face challenges and require interventions to address these.

Implications for cancer survivors: Breast cancer survivors may need to prepare for ongoing psychosocial challenges in survivorship and proactively seek support to overcome these.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Meta-review; Qualitative; Survivorship; Systematic review.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PubMed search results by year for BC survivorship qualitative studies. Articles on PubMed for the search terms (breast cancer) AND (survivor*) AND (qualitative)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
PRISMA flow chart for the meta-review literature search
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Number of systematic reviews included by year published
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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