Smit A, Coetzee BJ, Roomaney R, Bradshaw M, Swartz L. Women's stories of living with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative evidence.
Soc Sci Med 2019;
222:231-245. [PMID:
30665063 DOI:
10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.01.020]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE
Globally, breast cancer is by far the most frequently occurring cancer amongst women. Whilst the physical consequences of the disease and associated treatments are well documented, a comprehensive picture of how breast cancer is experienced at all stages of disease progression is lacking.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aimed to synthesize qualitative studies documenting women's breast cancer narratives into an empirically based explanatory framework.
METHODS
Two investigators independently searched Academic Search Premiere, CINAHL, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PubMed, Science Direct, SCOPUS, Web of Science and three international dissertation repositories using a pre-specified search strategy to identify qualitative studies on women's breast cancer narratives across all geographic and income-level settings. Of the 7840 studies that were screened for eligibility, included in the review were 180 studies, which were assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Using a 'meta-study' approach, an explanatory model of the breast cancer experience was formulated. Finally, we assessed the confidence in the review findings using the 'Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research' (CERQual) guidelines.
RESULTS
Eight core themes were identified: the burden of breast cancer, existential ordeal, illness appraisal, sources of support, being in the healthcare system, the self in relation to others, changes in self-image, and survivor identity. Together, these form the proposed Trajectory of Breast Cancer (TBC) framework.
CONCLUSION
The Trajectory of Breast Cancer explanatory framework offers a theoretically defensible synthesis of women's experiences of breast cancer. This framework provides an empirical basis for future reviewers conducting qualitative and narrative breast cancer research.
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