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Breast cancer survivorship in rural settings: a systematic review

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Abstract

Purpose

Rural breast cancer survivors (BCS) in the United States face unique challenges during survivorship, related to knowledge and accessibility of resources. Survivorship care plans should address five key areas that include surveillance and screening for new/reoccurring cancer; management of long-term effects of cancer treatment; health promotion; and care coordination/practice implications. To maximize the benefit of survivorship care for rural BCS, it is necessary to better understand their experiences and preferences.

Methods

A systematic review of the extant literature addressing the survivorship needs and interventions for rural BCS was conducted. The following databases were searched for reports published between January, 2007, and December, 2018: PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, PsycINFO (EBSCO), CAB Direct, and Sociological Abstracts. Reports published after 2007 with samples including and comprised of rural BCS in the United States were included. Screening of the search results followed PRISMA guidelines using Covidence systematic review software.

Results

Findings were extracted from 30 reports disseminating findings of 14 research studies. The five areas of a survivorship care were counted/accounted for during data extraction. The included reports concentrated on health promotion (e.g., weight loss and exercise) and the management of long-term effects of cancer treatment as key outcomes. There is a gap in the literature addressing care coordination, surveillance, and screening.

Conclusion

Additional research including interventions for rural BCS that address more survivorship care areas would benefit this population and improve survivorship quality of life for rural BCS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Allison Brandt Anbari

  2. Boromarajonani College of Nursing Buddhachinaraj, Muang, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand

    Ausanee Wanchai

  3. J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Rebecca Graves

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Correspondence to Allison Brandt Anbari.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest and have control of the data used for this systematic review. We agree to allow the journal to review the data if requested.

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Anbari, A.B., Wanchai, A. & Graves, R. Breast cancer survivorship in rural settings: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 28, 3517–3531 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05308-0

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