Objective: Stigma is known to negatively influence cancer patients’ treatment outcomes and psychosocial behavior. Previous studies have highlighted specific types of cancer and how stigma was experienced by those patients, families, caregivers, and the general population. The aim of this study is to systematically review the information on: how stigma is experienced by all cancer patients; how stigma affects cancer screening behavior; the influence of cancer-related stigma on psychosocial, behavioral, and health outcomes; and the effectiveness of interventions used to address cancer stigma. Procedure: The protocol, search, appraisal, synthesis, analysis, and reporting (PSALSAR) framework was used for conducting this systematic literature review. CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases were searched using the keywords “cancer stigma”, “cancer stigma intervention”, “cancer stigma impact”, “effect of cancer stigma”, and “stigma and cancer screening”. Articles publication period was set for 2010 to 2020. Data extracted from relevant articles included title, author(s), publication year, country of study, study aims, research design, type of population studied, and result. Out of the 957 articles initially found, 49 (29 quantitative, 16 qualitative, 2 mixed methods, and 2 scoping reviews) met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Quality assessment of included studies revealed the studies had varying levels of methodological quality.
Extracted data were organized and narratively analyzed. Results: Stigma levels varied depending on country of study and type of cancer discussed. Developing countries had higher rates of severe stigma reported compared to developed countries with varying experience of stigma often depending on cancer type. Cancer Patients of ethnic minorities in Developed countries experienced higher rates of stigma within their communities. Cancer was associated with imminent death consistently throughout studies. Cancer patients who experienced self-blame were more inclined to conceal their diagnosis from family and friends. While cancer stigma majorly resulted in negative psychosocial outcomes in cancer patients, there were also instances of posttraumatic growth reported in literature emanating from the stigma experienced. Literature on cancer-related stigma interventions for cancer patients and the general public was scant. Conclusions: Stigma affects many aspects of cancer patients’ life both during and after treatment. Future studies and clinical practices should utilize the information provided to empower cancer patients and combat stigma. Interventions should improve public education to help minimize stigma in both developing and developed countries.
Citation Format: Elizabeth Akin-Odanye, Anisah Husman. Impact of stigma and stigma-focused interventions on screening and treatment outcomes in cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-108.
