Unpacking the layers: a meta-ethnography of cancer survivors' loneliness.

Purpose: To review the empirical qualitative literature on cancer survivor's experiences with loneliness to inform assessments and interventions for improving cancer survivors' social well-being.

Methods: A rigorous systematic review of qualitative studies published in five databases between 1993 and 2016 was conducted. Three coders reviewed 285 titles and abstracts and, after applying a critical review process, 20 manuscripts were synthesized using meta-ethnography.