Table 2.

Characteristics of Eligible Studies - Qualitative

First Author	Year and Country	Objectives	Phase	Sampling Method and Sample Size	Cancer Type	Analytic approach and Data collection method	Results
Dunn et al. 31	2017 Australia	Explore the motivations of prostate cancer survivors to start a self-help group.	After Treatment	Purposive sampling N=26	Prostate	Thematic analysis Individual interviews and focus groups	Illness experience included three sub-themes: isolation and neglect; anger and betrayal; and stigma, unable to discuss the cancer experience with social network. Sense of isolation was increased with no provision of psychosocial support. Stigma led to further social isolation.
Aoun et al. 17	2016 Australia	Explore challenges and biographical life changes in connection with the disease progression. of older people living alone with terminal cancer.	End of life	Purposive and convenience sampling N=51	Multiple	Thematic content analysis Individual interviews	Biographical disruption theme: adjusting to changing social relationships and networks. Loss of independence and increased loneliness.
O’Connor et al. 23	2014 Australia	Describe experiences of patients who live alone with community-based palliative care.	End of life	Convenience sampling n=8	Not reported	Social constructionist approach Individual interviews	Loss of social networks due to disability that led to missing social activities resulting in feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Lee et al. 28	2013 United States	Explore risk factors contributing to depression in older Korean cancer survivors residing in the metropolitan areas of Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota, and New York City.	After Treatment	Purposive and convenience sampling n=48	Multiple	Grounded theory Individual interview	Depression was related to loneliness because of lacking relationships with family members or being disconnected from the community, “informant’s personality”, physical changes like physical deterioration or pain and fear of death.
Ervik et al. 30	2010 Norway	Explore experiences in patients with prostate cancer living with active surveillance or endocrine therapy.	Active surveillance or maintenance therapy	Not reported N=10	Prostate	Phenomenological hermeneutic approach Individual interviews	Active surveillance is described as “feeling left alone.”
Morita et al. 26	2004 Japan	Explore existential stress in terminally ill patients with cancer.	End of life	Convenience N=88	Multiple	Content analysis Individual interviews	A quarter of the participants experienced existential concerns such as isolation that included feeling lonely.