Young adults’ lived experiences of parental cancer: a qualitative evidence synthesis

Background Young adults aged 18 to 35 years with a parent affected by cancer often face emotional, financial, and social burdens. Parental illness disrupts this transitional life stage, which is commonly characterised by education, career-building, and relationships, by adding caregiving responsibilities that may strain identity, well-being, and social connections. Despite their psychosocial vulnerability, young adult caregivers remain underrepresented in research, and little is known about how they experience and navigate these challenges. Objective To address this gap, this systematic review identifies and synthesises qualitative research on individuals who experience parental cancer during young adulthood or emerging adulthood. Information sources The literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus, from inception to May 2024, with an updated search in September 2025. In addition, the reference lists of included studies were screened to identify further eligible records. Methods We conducted a qualitative evidence synthesis following established methodological and reporting guidelines (PRISMA-P and ENTREQ). The review included qualitative studies and data were synthesised using thematic synthesis as described by Thomas and Harden. Results The included studies, conducted in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania, used predominantly qualitative or mixed methods and were published in English between 2008 and 2024. The results indicate that young adults live everyday lives that unfold in parallel with the medical trajectory of their parent, a process characterised by shifting social roles, disrupted relationships, and an evolving sense of identity. These experiences coalesce into three overarching themes: (1) emotional burden , encompassing the impact on young adults’ emotions and identity; (2) balancing family dynamics , involving the navigation of conflicts, fostering of closeness, and management of responsibilities; and (3) effective management strategies , highlighting the role of support, access to information, and active involvement in caregiving. Conclusion Parental cancer profoundly affects young adults, influencing their emotional well-being, personal identity, and family responsibilities. While these challenges can be overwhelming, they may also foster personal growth and resilience. Difficulties in seeking support underscore the need for tailored interventions to help young adults maintain well-being. Registration The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO, the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews 23 December 2023.