The intergenerational impact of maternal cancer on school-aged children and adolescents: a scoping review protocol for mapping the existing literature

Background Maternal cancer significantly impacts dependent children and adolescents. While this impact has been described and measured in multiple studies, limited consideration has been given to exploring which population groups are absent from existing studies. The objective of this scoping review is to chart the existing literature on the intergenerational impact of a mother’s cancer on school-aged children and adolescents. This will include geographically mapping where relevant studies have been done in the last two decades and which population groups have been included. The types of studies conducted, and measurement tools used will also be charted. Methods A search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Global Health, CINAHL and Social Science Citation Index will be conducted using a combination of keywords and subject headings for the concepts ‘mother’, ‘cancer’ and ‘children/adolescents’. Grey literature will be sought through web searches and contacting organisations and experts in the field. This review will include all literature that focuses on school-aged children with mothers with cancer. All types and stages of maternal cancer will be included. Impact may range from child survival to experiences or concerns. Observational studies published globally from 2001 will be included. Two independent reviewers will perform title and abstract screening and full text review using Rayyan software according to the eligibility criteria. An English language restriction will be applied at full text review. Data extraction will be done by two independent reviewers using a data extraction tool. The results will be presented in a combination of graphic, tabular and narrative form. Discussion This scoping review will map where the studies informing current understanding of the impact of maternal cancer have been done and identify population groups who may currently be under-represented in this literature. In doing so, it will identify where future studies on this pertinent topic need to be conducted to guide context specific interventions for these vulnerable children and adolescents. Registration: This protocol was registered on Open Science Framework. Registration doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/N8SGK.