Factors Affecting Self-perceived Stigma in Cancer Patients: A Meta-synthesis

Background: An analysis of cancer stigma and the factors affecting it can significantly affect patients’ survival rate, willingness to receive treatment, coping strategies, and quality of life. To this end, the present study investigated the factors affecting self-perceived stigma in cancer patients.Methods: The present study adopted a meta-synthesis approach. The inclusion criteria were qualitative studies, relevant keywords in the title and abstract, and full-text articles published in English from 2000 to 2022 in Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. After searching and screening the titles, abstracts, and methodologies, 419 articles were extracted. Then, the duplicate articles were removed and the data from the 11 remaining articles that met the inclusion criteria were used in data analysis.Results: The findings revealed the factors affecting cancer stigma include substantive factors (cancer symptoms reflecting death and nothingness and the visible signs of cancer reminiscent of isolation and loneliness) and moderating factors (the role of false beliefs and misconceptions, fear of public judgment, and the role of the media as a promoter of stigma). The data also showed that false beliefs and misconceptions play the most important role in cancer stigma.Conclusion: Taking into account factors affecting cancer stigma can contribute to developing an effective strategy to strengthen the psychological support for cancer patients and pave the way for improving optimal and effective management of the public health system in dealing with cancer.