The Impact of Obesity in the Care Management and Experiences of Women With Endometrial Cancer: A Scoping Review

Background: Endometrial cancer cases attributed to obesity continue to grow globally. Significant gaps remain in understanding how obesity impacts care management and the individual’s experiences of care. Objective: To scope the literature concerning the influence of obesity on the care management and experiences of women with endometrial cancer. Methods: The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological approach to scoping reviews. CINAHL, Medline, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were searched. Articles were independently reviewed in accordance with the eligibility criteria. Quality appraisal was undertaken using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: The search retrieved 362 records. Thirty-four duplicates were removed. Abstracts of 328 studies were screened; 258 studies were excluded. Seventy studies were assessed in full text. Fifty-six studies were excluded. Fourteen articles met the criteria. Thematic analysis identified four themes, including the impact of obesity on health outcomes, patient education, lifestyle interventions and service referrals, and quality of care. Conclusion: Care inequities exist for obese women with endometrial cancer compared with nonobese peers. Development in care areas could enhance quality of life and health outcomes. Implications for Practice: These findings highlight inequity in care for individuals with obesity and endometrial cancer, the need for guidelines specific to the care management for this population, and the importance of health care provider discussions with individuals about the weight impact on care. What is Foundational: This scoping review provides foundational insights into the current state of knowledge on this topic. It establishes a comprehensive map of existing literature, thereby laying the groundwork for future studies.