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A qualitative systematic review exploring lay understanding of cancer by adults without a cancer diagnosis

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Balmer, Claire E., Griffiths, Frances and Dunn, Janet A. (2014) A qualitative systematic review exploring lay understanding of cancer by adults without a cancer diagnosis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 70 ( 8). pp. 1688-1701. doi:10.1111/jan.12342

Research output not available from this repository, contact author.
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jan.12342

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Abstract

Aim

To explore the lay understanding of cancer.
Background

Lay understanding of illness is shaped by social identity, personal biography and experience. It informs how ill health is defined, concerns are managed and interventions evaluated. An appreciation of lay understanding is therefore vital to enable relay of effective and appropriate health information to the public and care provision and support to patients.
Design

A qualitative systematic review using Thomas and Harden's (2008) approach to thematic synthesis.
Data sources

Key social science, nursing and medical databases, cancer organization websites for grey literature and a hand search of references retrieved from particularly relevant articles and journals.
Review methods

Thematic synthesis of eligible papers (studies on adults without a cancer diagnosis, generated from WHO-defined ‘high-income’ countries and published between 1990–2011). Only those focusing on the understanding of cancer, rather than screening or cancer genetics, were included.
Results

Six analytical themes were identified from 26 papers, generated from 25 studies. Explorations of the causes of cancer and interpretation of personal risk dominated the published work. These revealed a significant complexity in lay understanding. This review has also highlighted the need for additional work, particularly in gaining an understanding of the stigma and fear that surround cancer.
Conclusion

The themes identified by this review have the potential to inform the development of appropriate health promotion strategies and clinical services for those living with cancer and lead to a better understanding of problematic areas, such as late presentation, which continues to impede efforts to improve cancer survival.

Item Type: Journal Article
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences
Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Social Science & Systems in Health (SSSH)
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Advanced Nursing
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 0309-2402
Official Date: August 2014
Dates:
DateEvent
August 2014Published
18 July 2013Available
23 November 2013Accepted
Volume: 70
Number: 8
Page Range: pp. 1688-1701
DOI: 10.1111/jan.12342
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Restricted or Subscription Access

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