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Patient perspectives of weight stigma across the cancer continuum: A scoping review
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Patient perspectives of weight stigma across the cancer continuum: A scoping review

Nanako Hawley, Jennifer Green, Erica Ahlich, Caitlyn Hauff, Janice Hermer, Meghan B Skiba, Dara L James and Sarah H Nash
Cancer medicine (Malden, MA), Vol.13(3), e6882
02/2024
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6882
PMCID: PMC10905240
PMID: 38205894
Appears in  UI Libraries Support Open Access
url
https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.6882View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Weight stigma has been defined as the social devaluation and denigration of individuals because of their weight. The purpose of this scoping systematic review was to assess and understand patient experiences with weight stigma in the cancer care setting. We conducted a systematic scoping review of studies examining shame, prejudice, bias, and stigma in relation to weight and cancer-related care using five databases: PubMed, CINAHL Plus Full Text (ProQuest), Cochrane Library, PsycINFO (EBSCO), and Scopus. Articles were uploaded into Covidence for de-duplication and screening. Included studies were peer reviewed, reported adult patient experiences in cancer-related care, and were published in English between October 2012 and February 2023. Study characteristics and key findings were abstracted and qualitatively synthesized. Publications meeting inclusion criteria yielded five studies (n = 113 participants). Most focused on the experiences of women (n = 4) and cancers which predominantly impact women (i.e., breast, cervical, endometrial; n = 4). All stages of the cancer continuum were included with studies examining screening (n = 2), treatment (n = 1), and post-treatment survivorship (n = 2). Weight discrimination was discussed in four studies and weight-biased stereotypes were discussed in three studies. Experiences of weight bias internalization were reported in four studies. One study described an instance of implicit weight bias. Limited studies examine patient experiences of weight stigma in cancer care; however, current evidence suggests that patients do experience weight stigma in cancer-related care. This review highlights critical gaps and a need for more research on the prevalence and impact of weight stigma in cancer screening and care.
 Discrimination Obesity Oncology health disparity weight stigma weight bias UIOWA OA Agreement

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