Experiences of women with advanced cervical cancer before starting the treatment: Systematic review of qualitative studies

Background Advanced stage and high mortality are characteristics of cervical cancer in developing countries. Comprehension of the diagnosis itinerary is one of the main strategies to control the disease impact. Objectives To identify reasons for the delay in diagnosing symptomatic cervical cancer according to the patient's perspectives reported in qualitative studies. We searched four databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science). Selection criteria We included qualitative studies of women with advanced cervical cancer that explored their experiences before treatment. We excluded unoriginal, non‐qualitative, and duplicated studies. Data collection and analysis We selected 39 articles for a full‐text reading and included 15 in the present review. We chose the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) for quality assessment and The Model of Pathways to Treatment to guide the codifying process. Main results Four main themes emerged from the synthesis: (1) Health‐seeking motivators; (2) Obstacles to seeking medical care; (3) Diagnosis delay; and (4) Coping with the disease. These themes were derived from patients' personal knowledge and beliefs, social relationships, socioeconomic status, and healthcare system characteristics. Conclusions Individual behavior, social factors, and healthcare organization contribute to the delay in diagnosing advanced cervical cancer. Synopsis Individual behavior, social factors, and healthcare organization contribute to the delay in diagnosis of advanced cervical cancer.