Interventions, programmes and resources that address culturally and linguistically diverse consumer and carers’ cancer information needs: a mixed methods systematic review

Background: Culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) consumers and carers have been identified as experiencing high levels of unmet needs relating to information and support across the cancer journey. This review identified and evaluated the effectiveness of strategies to meet the cancer information needs of consumers and carers from CaLD backgrounds.

Methods: This review followed Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for systematic reviews. Databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL Ultimate, PsycINFO and AMED, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and GreyNet. Published and unpublished studies between 2013 - May 2024 on interventions, programmes or resources developed for adults (aged 18 years and over) from CaLD communities in relation to cancer prevention, cancer treatment or life after cancer were reviewed for inclusion. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023451557).

Results: One hundred and twenty papers were included in the review. The majority were quasi-experimental studies (n = 52), followed by randomised controlled trials (n = 38) and qualitative studies (n = 25). The populations represented in the review included Latino (n = 47), Chinese (n = 28), Asian (n = 19), Korean (n = 16), and Vietnamese communities (n = 7). Most studies focused on prevention activities (n = 89) with a smaller number focused on active treatment (n = 6) and life after cancer (n = 20). Most studies focused on breast cancer (n = 37), followed by cervical cancer (n = 21). Engagement with community members was identified as an important requirement to develop and adapt interventions that were culturally acceptable, feasible and relevant to meet the communities’ needs. The majority of interventions demonstrated a positive impact on the primary outcome measured. No studies reported on the experiences of consumers and carers from CaLD backgrounds in the development of interventions, programmes and resources to address their cancer information needs.

Conclusions: This review supports a tailored approach to develop information, resources and interventions that leverage community resources and expertise to ensure that they are accessible and relevant to CaLD communities. The onus for researchers and clinicians is the creation of information, resources and interventions that are both accessible in terms of language and comprehension and are culturally relevant.