Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38069669›Full record

SynthesisCancer medicine2023

The experiences of reproductive concerns in cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

Ying Dong, Zhenyu Yue, Huan Zhuang, Chen Zhang, Yu Fang, Guichun Jiang

Open access · goldAbstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Cancer medicine, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 21 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
21citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
6.1field-weighted citation impact, top 3% of its field
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

21 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 21 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. 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
  3. Pooled it
  4. Pooled it
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Reproductive concerns and quality of life among Chinese women undergoing fertility-sparing surgery for gynecologic malignancies: a mixed-methods study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  9. Review
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Review
  17. Article
  18. Review
  19. Navigating an uncertain future: a qualitative study exploring thoughts about fertility and oncofertility counseling among young men with cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024
    Article
  20. Article
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

6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Ying DongLiaoNing Cancer Hospital & Institute, DaLian Medical University School of Nursing, Shenyang, China.ORCID 0009-0000-7210-697X
Zhenyu YueLiaoNing Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China.
Huan ZhuangThird Department of Gynecology, LiaoNing Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China.
Chen ZhangDaLian Medical University School of Nursing, Dalian, China.
Yu FangDaLian Medical University School of Nursing, Dalian, China.
Guichun JiangClinical Skills Training Center, LiaoNing Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China.
Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute · CNDalian Medical University · CN

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimThe aim of this study was to synthesize qualitative research evidence on cancer survivors' experiences with reproductive concerns (RC).

methodsWe conducted a systematic search of qualitative studies and utilized the meta-aggregation approach. The database searches were extended up to May 14, 2023, encompassing 12 databases, specifically MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science (Core Collection), AMED, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wan Fang Data, and VIP.

resultsThree overarching themes were synthesized from the analysis of 21 studies that explored cancer patients' awareness of reproductive concerns, their perceptions, needs, and coping styles. These themes encapsulate the multifaceted aspects of cancer patients' reproductive concerns: "Gender differences in fertility concerns among cancer patients: Perspectives from men and women"; "The influence of age: Experiences with fertility issues among cancer patients at different life stages"; "The impact of treatment stages on fertility concerns: The evolution of perception and coping strategies in the course of cancer treatment".

conclusionOur study presents an in-depth exploration of the reproductive concerns experienced by cancer patients from various perspectives. We found that the internal experiences of reproductive concerns, their perceptions, needs, and coping mechanisms differ based on their roles. This comprehensive understanding of the complex emotions and needs of cancer patients when confronted with fertility issues can guide clinicians in providing more effective medical assistance, psychological counseling, and fertility-related information services.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsNeoplasmsCounselingFemaleFertilityHumansMaleQualitative Researchcancermeta-synthesisreproductive concernssystematic review

Identifiers

PMID38069669
PMCPMC10757101
OpenAlexW4389507151

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.