Objective Self‐management has been proposed as a strategy to help cancer patients optimize their health and well‐being during survivorship. Previous reviews have shown variable effects of self‐management on outcomes. The theoretical basis and psychoeducational components of these interventions have not been evaluated in detail. We aimed to evaluate the evidence for self‐management and provide a description of the components of these interventions. Methods We conducted a systematic review of self‐management interventions for adults who had completed primary cancer treatment by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Registry, and Cochrane CENTRAL Registry of Controlled Trials. We included experimental and quasiexperimental designs. Data synthesis included narrative and tabular summary of results; heterogeneity of interventions and outcomes precluded meta‐analysis. Study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool or the risk of bias of nonrandomized studies tool. Results Forty‐one studies published between 1994 and 29 March 2018 were included. Studies were predominantly randomized controlled trials and targeted to breast cancer survivors. A variety of intervention designs, psychoeducational components, and outcomes were identified. Less than 50% of the studies included a theoretical framework. There was variability of effects across most outcomes. Risk of bias could not be fully assessed. Conclusions There are limitations in the design and research on self‐management interventions for cancer survivors that hinder their translation into clinical practice. Further research is needed to understand if these interventions are an important type of support for cancer survivors.

Key Points Question Are shortened durations of adjuvant chemotherapy associated with decreased survival among patients with stage II and III colon cancer? Findings In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 studies comprising 43 671 patients, shortened durations of adjuvant chemotherapy were not associated with worse survival in studies involving combination regimens (the current standard of care) among patients with stage III colon cancer. Conversely, the standard 6 months of chemotherapy was associated with improved survival among patients prescribed monotherapy. Meaning Shorter durations of adjuvant chemotherapy may not adversely alter survival among patients with stage III colon cancer treated with combination therapy; patients prescribed monotherapy should be encouraged to complete the entire 6 months of treatment.

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NCT02580461.