Transitional experience of men with breast cancer from diagnosis to survivorship: An integrative review

Abstract

Purpose: The care needs, experiences, and physical and psychological health of women with breast cancer are well-documented, but missing is the discussion of illness and management experiences of men with breast cancer. To explore and understand the nature and complexity of transitional experiences, from the time of receiving the diagnosis to the survivorship of men with breast cancer.

Methods: An integrative review was conducted according to Whittemore and Knafl's methodology. Literature was searched in seven scientific and two grey literature databases using mesh terms "breast cancer", "men", "experiences" and "nursing". Of 1013 screened articles, 17 qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies and research reviews met the inclusion criteria. The studies were critically appraised using mixed methods appraisal tool and rated as high and low quality. The data was extracted using literature summaries and synthesized using thematic, descriptive, and interpretive analysis.

Results: Nine themes captured the transitional experience at the diagnosis, management, and survivorship stages. Gender inequalities and stigmatizations at personal, health care, and social and community levels negatively influence men's experiences.

Conclusions: The gender stigmatizations present at personal, health care, and social and community levels greatly influence men's experiences of breast cancer. To resolve gender inequalities in breast cancer management, the nurses should focus equally on the needs of men and women with breast cancer. The needs of men entail reducing health care and social stigmatizations, gender specific information and management, and opportunities to participate in support groups.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Experiences; Integrative review; Male breast cancer; Men; Survivorship; Synthesis.