AccScience Publishing / EJMO / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/EJMO025270289
Submit to EJMO
Cite this article
9
Download
57
Views
Journal Browser
Volume | Year
Issue
Search
Forthcoming Issue
Current Issue
View All
News and Announcements
View All
REVIEW ARTICLE

Impact of breast cancer on the maternal/parental role and dependent children: A scoping review

Charos Dimitrios1* ,  Andriopoulou Maria2* ,  Kolliopoulou Maria1 ,  Vivilaki Victoria3
Show Less
1 Department of Psycho-oncology, General Anti-Cancer Oncology Hospital Agios Savvas, Athens, Attica, Greece
2 Department of Surgery, “Konstantopouleio” General Hospital of Nea Ionia, Athens, Attica, Greece
3 Department of Midwifery, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Attica, Greece
EJMO, 025270289 https://doi.org/10.36922/EJMO025270289
Received: 1 July 2025 | Revised: 3 October 2025 | Accepted: 23 October 2025 | Published online: 24 November 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
Download PDF
XML
Cite
Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is rising among younger women, many of whom have dependent children.

Objective: The purpose of this scoping review is to synthesize evidence on the dynamics and impacts of breast cancer on the maternal/parental role and the dependent children of affected women.

Method: A review of 19 qualitative and quantitative studies from 2002 to 2023 was conducted using PubMed and Scopus, supplemented by Google Scholar searches, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews protocol. Included studies examined the maternal role and the experiences of dependent children.

Results: Mothers with breast cancer experience increased anxiety and emotional burden. Children and adolescents exhibit emotional and behavioral reactions, with adolescents bearing a greater burden. Open communication and psychosocial support reduce distress. However, only a small proportion receives family-centered support.

Conclusion: Breast cancer significantly affects both the patient and her family. This reinforces the need to strengthen psychosocial support services with a family-focused approach. Early assessment of psychological needs and integration of family-centered interventions in psycho-oncological care are essential for improving patients’ emotional well-being and treatment outcomes.

Keywords
Breast cancer
Parental role
Maternal role
Dependent children
Family-centered psychosocial interventions
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
  1. Weaver KE, Rowland JH, Alfano CM, McNeel TS. Parental cancer and the family: A population-based estimate of the number of US cancer survivors residing with their minor children. Cancer. 2010;116(18):4395-4401. doi: 10.1002/cncr.2536

 

  1. Lally RM, Hydeman J, Brooks C, Akter H, Yoerg MT. Experiences and needs of African American children and adolescents in supportive care roles for a relative with breast cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2020;47(2):165-176. doi: 10.1188/20.ONF.165-176

 

  1. John K, Becker K, Mattejat F. Impact of family-oriented rehabilitation and prevention: An inpatient program for mothers with breast cancer and their children. Psychooncology. 2013;22(12):2684-2692. doi: 10.1002/pon.3329

 

  1. GBD 2020 Breast Cancer Collaborators. Global burden of breast cancer in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2020. Lancet Oncol. 2021;22(11):1430-1441. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00456-7

 

  1. Sha R, Kong XM, Li XY, Wang Y. Global burden of breast cancer and attributable risk factors in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021: Results from the global burden of disease study 2021. Biomark Res. 2024;12:87. doi: 10.1186/s40364-024-00631-8

 

  1. Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209-249. doi: 10.3322/caac.21660

 

  1. Zhu JW, Charkhchi P, Adekunte S, Akbari MR. What is known about breast cancer in young women? Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(7):1917. doi: 10.3390/cancers15061917

 

  1. Cai Y, Dai F, Ye Y, Qian J. The global burden of breast cancer among women of reproductive age: A comprehensive analysis. Sci Rep. 2025;15:9347. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-93883-9

 

  1. Hammersen F, Pursche T, Fischer D, Katalinic A, Waldmann A. Psychosocial and family-centered support among breast cancer patients with dependent children. Psychooncology. 2021;30(3):361-368. doi: 10.1002/pon.5585

 

  1. Barnes J, Kroll L, Lee J, Burke O, Jones A, Stein A. Factors predicting communication about the diagnosis of maternal breast cancer to children. J Psychosom Res. 2002;52(4):209-214. doi: 10.1016/S0022-3999(02)00296-9

 

  1. Ares I, Lebel S, Bielajew C. The impact of motherhood on perceived stress, illness intrusiveness and fear of cancer recurrence in young breast cancer survivors over time. Psychol Health. 2014;29(6):651-670. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2013.879136

 

  1. Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021;372:n71. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n71

 

  1. Inhestern L, Bergelt C. When a mother has cancer: Strains and resources of affected families from the mother’s and father’s perspective-a qualitative study. BMC Womens Health. 2018;18(1):72. doi: 10.1186/s12905-018-0562-8

 

  1. Tavares R, Brandão T, Matos PM. Mothers with breast cancer: A mixed-method systematic review on the impact on the parent-child relationship. Psychooncology. 2018;27(2):367-375. doi: 10.1002/pon.4443

 

  1. Xu J, Wang X, Chen M, Shi Y, Hu Y. Family interaction among young Chinese breast cancer survivors. BMC Fam Pract. 2021;22:122. doi: 10.1186/s12875-021-01476-y

 

  1. Bultmann JC, Beierlein V, Romer G, Möller B, Koch U, Bergelt C. Parental cancer: Health-related quality of life and current psychosocial support needs of cancer survivors and their children. Int J Cancer. 2014;135(11):2668-2677. doi: 10.1002/ijc.28904

 

  1. Wan C, Ares I, Gareau A, Collins KA, Lebel S, Bielajew C. Motherhood and well-being in young breast cancer survivors. Breast Cancer Manag. 2018;7(1):31-43. doi: 10.2217/bmt-2017-0015

 

  1. Asbury N, Lalayiannis L, Walshe A. How do I tell the children? Women’s experiences of sharing information about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2014;18(6):564-570. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2014.04.006

 

  1. Stefanou K, Zografos E, Zografos GC, Vaslamatzis G, Kolaitis G. Emotional and behavioural problems in children dealing with maternal breast cancer: A literature review. Br J Guid Couns. 2020;48(3):394-405. doi: 10.1080/03069885.2018.1487530

 

  1. Altun H, Kurtul N, Arici A, Yazar EM. Evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems in school-age children of patients with breast cancer. Turk J Oncol. 2019;34(1):12-20. doi: 10.5505/tjo.2018.1824

 

  1. Visser A, Huizinga GA, Van Der Graaf WTA, Hoekstra HJ, Hoekstra-Weebers JEHM. The impact of parental cancer on children and the family: A review of the literature. Cancer Treat Rev. 2004;30(8):683-694. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2004.05.007

 

  1. Charos D, Andriopoulou M, Lykeridou K, Deltsidou A, Kolokotroni P, Vivilaki V. Psychological effects of breast cancer in women and their families: A systematic review. World J Adv Res Rev. 2023;18(2):1263-1279. doi: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.18.2.1034

 

  1. Vannatta K, Grollman JA, Noll RB, Gerhardt CA. Impact of maternal breast cancer on the peer interactions of children at school. Psychooncology. 2008;17(2):123-132. doi: 10.1002/pon.1232

 

  1. Huang X, Lee S, Hu Y, Gao H, O’Connor M. Chinese children’s experience when the mother has breast cancer: Voices from mothers and children. Cancer Nurs. 2020;43(2):158-166. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000695

 

  1. Watson M, James-Roberts IS, Ashley S, et al. Factors associated with emotional and behavioural problems among school age children of breast cancer patients. Br J Cancer. 2006;94(1):43-50. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602892

 

  1. Ernst JC, Beierlein V, Romer G, Möller B, Koch U, Bergelt C. Use and need for psychosocial support in cancer patients: A population-based sample of patients with minor children. Cancer. 2013;119(12):2333-2341. doi: 10.1002/cncr.28021

 

  1. Charos D, Merluzzi TV, Kolokotroni P, Lykeridou K, Deltsidou A, Vivilaki V. Breast cancer and social relationship coping efficacy: Validation of the Greek version. Women Health. 2021;61(10):939-950. doi: 10.1080/03630242.2021.1994101

 

  1. Charos D, Andriopoulou M, Vivilaki V. The role of psychosocial support and digital psychosocial intervention in empowering breast cancer patients. EC Psychol Psychiatry. 2023;12(5):26-34.

 

  1. Winkler R, Ciria M, Ahmad M, Plank H, Marcuello C. A review of the current state of magnetic force microscopy to unravel the magnetic properties of nanomaterials applied in biological systems and future directions for quantum technologies. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2023;13(18):2585. doi: 10.3390/nano13182585

 

  1. Dongsar TT, Dongsar TS, Abourehab M, Gupta N, Kesharwani P. Emerging application of magnetic nanoparticles for breast cancer therapy. Eur Polym J. 2023;187:111898. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2023.111898
Next article in this issue
Share
Back to top
Eurasian Journal of Medicine and Oncology, Electronic ISSN: 2587-196X Print ISSN: 2587-2400, Published by AccScience Publishing
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here
Accept