Digital Health Communication Engagement Experiences of Older Adults in Community Contexts: Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Ethnography.

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by abnormal cell proliferation []. Globally, cancer is the leading cause of mortality, accounting for nearly one in six deaths []. Encouragingly, though survival rates vary worldwide, advances in treatment have contributed to increased survival in numerous cancer types [,]. However, while treatment modalities such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted- or immunotherapies are increasingly effective in terms of survival, they are also associated with a range of treatment-specific adverse side- and late-effects that can negatively impact the lives of cancer survivors []. There are numerous treatment-specific and general side effects related to cancer treatment such as pain, lymphedema, nausea/vomiting and fatigue []. To alleviate these side effects, many patients seek complimentary or alternative medicine (CAM), including massage [–]. For example, a recent cross-sectional study including a mixed oncology patient population (n = 171) found that up to 64% used some form of CAM concurrent to receiving treatment, of which 25% was massage []. Massage is defined as “a systematic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining health” []. Clinical indications for massage in persons with cancer include symptom relief as part of palliative care, and treatment of- or relief from the side effects of concurrent cancer treatments, with studies indicating beneficial effects on, for example, pain [,], fatigue [] and lymphedema []. Indeed, the potential for positive effects related to massage has led some supportive care programs to offer massage as an adjunct to cancer treatment [–].