Attitude and Barriers of Community Pharmacists towards Cancer Health Promotion: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Health promotion promotes quality of life and shows several positive outcomes for cancer patients and survivors. Studies indicate a decrease in mortality rates among women with breast cancer, improvement in the emotional state and quality of life among lung cancer patients. Community pharmacists are advocating, facilitating and providing cancer-related health promotions. This systematic review analyses attitude and barriers of community pharmacist towards cancer health promotion. Searches of major bibliographic databases identified primary studies published in English from 2005 to July 2017. A total of 323 records were identified and 5 were considered as been eligible based on the inclusion standard. Findings from the eligible studies revealed a favorable attitude of community pharmacists towards cancer health promotion but have perceived barriers towards it. The review was limited to five studies, hence regional or country studies will have to be carried out for an in-depth analysis of the attitude and barriers of community pharmacists and ways to address it.