Background: Psycho-oncology is a branch of research related to cancer care that focuses on
the psychological, behavioural, spiritual, physical, and social aspects of the cancer experience.
Whilst psycho-oncology and its applications are relatively nascent, there is a paucity of
research regarding the psycho-oncological considerations for Indigenous Communities. Due to
the deleterious impacts of colonisation, the burden of disease experienced amongst Indigenous
Peoples is disproportionately higher than in non-Indigenous populations. Yet, the lack of
attention paid towards the development of appropriate models of care fails to reflect this.
Therefore, this systematic review aims to build an understanding of psycho-oncology for
Indigenous Peoples, globally.
Methods: Two independent reviewers searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Psych-
Info and ProQuest using a pre-established search strategy. The search was not limited by
geographic setting, language, age or gender. Qualitative studies with Indigenous participants
that focused on the psychological experiences related to cancer were eligible for inclusion.
Included articles were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool for
qualitative studies and thematic findings were meta-aggregated.
Results: The search identified 3593 articles; after screening, a total of 16 studies were
included. During the meta-aggregation phase, 11 synthesised findings were identified:
structural racism, biomedical health systems, colonisation, shame, fear, loneliness, spiritual
pain, loneliness, gratitude, connection, strength and feeling all consumed.
Conclusion: There is a need to prioritise and involve Indigenous healthcare workers in all
stages of the cancer experience to preserve traditional, cultural, and spiritual ways of healing
and to deliver culturally responsive healthcare for Indigenous patients