Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31745818›Full record

SynthesisJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2019

A meta-review of qualitative research on adult cancer survivors: current strengths and evidence gaps.

Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell, Stephanie Konings, Nicole Rankin, Bogda Koczwara, Emma Kemp, Carolyn Mazariego, Phyllis Butow

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 30 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
30citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

30 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Health-related quality of life domains relevant to people in Europe undergoing cancer treatment: a systematic review of qualitative research.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2026
    Pooled it
  2. Mindfulness-based interventions for addressing sexual function after cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Pooled it
  3. Systematic review of the needs and health-related quality of life domains relevant to people surviving cancer in Europe.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2025
    Pooled it
  4. Psychosocial experiences of breast cancer survivors: a meta-review.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2024
    Pooled it
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  18. Preventive health care in blood cancer survivors: results from the ABC study.Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology · 2023
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Rebekah Laidsaar-PowellCentre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia. rebekah.laidsaar-powell@sydney.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3462-5645
Stephanie KoningsCentre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Nicole RankinResearch in Implementation Science and e-Health (RISe), Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
Bogda KoczwaraFlinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Emma KempFlinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Carolyn MazariegoCancer Research Division, Cancer Council New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Phyllis ButowCentre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.

Funding

National Health and Medical Research Council APP1139539
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe number of qualitative studies exploring cancer survivor experiences has significantly increased in recent years, with a large number of systematic reviews now published. This meta-review (systematic review of systematic reviews) aimed to assess the evidence base-summarising existing qualitative findings and identifying gaps for further research.

methodsSystematic reviews published from 1950 to 2018 were identified via database searches (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO). Two authors assessed eligibility and extracted data. Review quality was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Reviews.

resultsA total of 1465 titles were retrieved, and 60 reviews were included in the final review. All included reviews were conducted between 1998 and 2018. Whilst many reviews included mixed cancer types (21), the majority included only one cancer type (breast (19), gynaecological (10), prostate (5), haematological (2), colorectal (1), bladder (1) and melanoma (1)). Reviews focused on several survivorship topic areas including quality of life, experiences of survivors from ethnic minorities, returning to work and experiences of survivorship healthcare services. Less frequently reviewed topics included fertility, body image, coping strategies and spirituality.

conclusionsThis meta-review provides insight into the areas of research density and paucity. Breast and gynaecological cancer survivors are strongly represented. Gaps in synthesis include reviews for other common cancers (e.g. lung, colorectal, melanoma, haematological) as well as survivorship topic areas such as side/late effects, psychological issues, financial toxicity and health behaviours. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Qualitative research into cancer survivor experiences can guide intervention development, as well as provide survivors with insight into the experiences and challenges faced by others with cancer.

Indexed as

AdultCancer SurvivorsFemaleHumansMaleNeoplasmsQualitative ResearchQuality of LifeCancer survivorsMeta-reviewQualitativeSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID31745818

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.