Mapping and Evolution of the Intellectual Structure of Cancer Information Avoidance Literature: A Scoping Review and Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Future Directions

Abstract

Context: Despite the gradual increase in scientific attention to cancer information avoidance, a comprehensive review of its evolution, conceptual dimensions, theoretical foundations, and determinants over the past three decades has not yet been conducted. This study aimed to analyze research on cancer information avoidance to delineate the current state of the field, identify knowledge gaps, and guide future research directions. Evidence Acquisition: The present study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining a scoping review and bibliometric analysis. Data were extracted from articles indexed in the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 28 studies were selected and analyzed using scoping review methods and the Biblioshiny software. Results: The results indicated that studies on cancer information avoidance have shown an upward trend over the past three decades. Research has primarily focused on information avoidance among patients and women. The literature review revealed that the determinants of cancer information avoidance include sociodemographic factors, individual (cognitive and affective) factors, and social and situational (cultural, informational, disease-related, and health system-related) factors. Furthermore, the review of theories and models indicated that most studies have drawn on theories such as Cognitive Dissonance, Uncertainty Management, and the Extended Parallel Process Model, whereas a specific conceptual model for cancer information avoidance has yet to be developed. Discussion: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the conceptual framework and research landscape of cancer information avoidance and emphasizes the need to develop indigenous and interdisciplinary models to enable a deeper understanding of this phenomenon.