Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42489963›Full record

SynthesisSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2026

A mixed studies systematic review of the unmet treatment, support, and information needs of cancer survivors in managing menopause symptoms.

Dorcas Serwaa, Shanton Chang, Khadijeh Onsory, Nipuni Susanto, Martha Hickey, Michael Jefford, Michelle Peate

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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.

Dorcas SerwaaDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Newborn Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. dserwaa@student.unimelb.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8583-4415
Shanton ChangSchool of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2163-3910
Khadijeh OnsoryDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Newborn Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Nipuni SusantoDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Newborn Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3951-2770
Martha HickeyDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Newborn Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3941-082X
Michael JeffordCentre for Health Services Research in Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology and the Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8792-7807
Michelle PeateDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Newborn Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2903-4688

Funding

Cancer Council NSW RG 21-06
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionMenopausal symptoms are common after cancer treatment, with wide-ranging impacts on cancer survivors' daily living. While evidence shows that cancer survivors have menopause-related needs, these have not been synthesised. This systematic review aims to identify cancer survivors' unmet needs in managing menopausal symptoms.

methodThe study was registered with the Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (CRD42024464668). We searched four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL) for original qualitative or quantitative research published in English between 2013 and 2025, and focusing on cancer survivors' unmet menopause-related needs. Manual searches of reference lists were also conducted. Quantitative studies were reported descriptively, while qualitative data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

resultsThe search returned 8256 abstracts, of which, 20 studies (13 qualitative and 7 quantitative) met the inclusion criteria. Three key themes were identified regarding unmet needs: treatment, support, and information. Treatment needs involved survivors untreated, those finding treatment ineffective, and desire for more options. Between 26 and 80% were untreated or self-managing their symptoms, 15-76% found their treatments ineffective, and 23-68% desired additional treatment. Support needs included inadequate support from healthcare professional. Some felt abandoned, their symptoms dismissed, and therefore needed extra support in managing their symptoms. Gaps in access to information about cancer treatment-induced menopause and its management were identified. Most sought information from diverse sources; however, their needs were not fully met.

conclusionThe review revealed unmet needs in treatment, support, and information for cancer survivors managing menopausal symptoms. These findings could guide providers to improve practice and inform supportive care policies.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsHealth Services Needs and DemandMenopauseFemaleHumansNeeds AssessmentSocial SupportCancer survivorsInformation needsMenopauseSupport needsSystematic reviewTreatment needs

Identifiers

PMID42489963
PMCPMC13395997

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.