Objective:To conduct a Meta-synthesis on the characteristics of symptom help-seeking behavior in adult cancer patients, so as to provide evidence-based guidance for early intervention of symptom help-seeking behavior in cancer patients in China.Methods:Qualitative studies on symptom help-seeking behavioral characteristics of cancer patients were systematically searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ProQuest, Nature, ScienceDirect, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, China Biology Medicine disc, and VIP. The search period was from database establishment to December 31, 2024. Included literature was independently evaluated using the Australian Joanna Briggs Institute Center for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research. The results were integrated through the Meta-synthesis method.Results:A total of 15 papers were included, and 30 findings were distilled and grouped into nine categories, resulting in three integrated findings of low symptom perception and interpretation bias, coping styles of symptom disclosure, and factors influencing symptom help-seeking behaviors.Conclusions:Symptom help-seeking behaviors of cancer patients are influenced by a variety of factors, and understanding their behavioral characteristics is useful in informing the development of intervention strategies.

Objective:To conduct a Meta-synthesis on the characteristics of symptom help-seeking behavior in adult cancer patients, so as to provide evidence-based guidance for early intervention of symptom help-seeking behavior in cancer patients in China.Methods:Qualitative studies on symptom help-seeking behavioral characteristics of cancer patients were systematically searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ProQuest, Nature, ScienceDirect, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, China Biology Medicine disc, and VIP. The search period was from database establishment to December 31, 2024. Included literature was independently evaluated using the Australian Joanna Briggs Institute Center for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research. The results were integrated through the Meta-synthesis method.Results:A total of 15 papers were included, and 30 findings were distilled and grouped into nine categories, resulting in three integrated findings of low symptom perception and interpretation bias, coping styles of symptom disclosure, and factors influencing symptom help-seeking behaviors.Conclusions:Symptom help-seeking behaviors of cancer patients are influenced by a variety of factors, and understanding their behavioral characteristics is useful in informing the development of intervention strategies.