Figure 1
Methodology flowchart of the narrative review. The figure illustrates the structured approach used to identify, screen, and include studies in the qualitative synthesis (n = 54).
Table 1
Maternal orphans by cancer type in 2020.
| CANCER | ORPHANS | % | PREVENTABILITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breast | 257,561 | 24.6 | Moderate |
| Cervical | 209,857 | 20.0 | High |
| Upper GI | 135,962 | 13.0 | Low |
| Hematological | 81,879 | 7.8 | Low |
| Other female | 63,054 | 6.0 | Moderate |
| Lower GI | 53,172 | 5.1 | Moderate |
| Respiratory | 50,580 | 4.8 | High |
| Others | 195,113 | 18.6 | Variable |
| Breast + cervix | 467,418 | 44.6 | WHO targets |
Figure 2
Maternal cancer orphanhood risk by human development index.
Table 2
Key interventions summary.
| INTERVENTION | EVIDENCE | EFFICACY | FEASIBILITY | PROJECTED IMPACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPV vaccination | High | 90%–100% vs HPV 16/18 | Moderate | 160 K orphans prevented/year by 2050 |
| HPV screening | High | 60%–80% reduction | Moderate | 100 K orphans prevented/ year |
| VIA + cryotherapy | Moderate | 25%–35% reduction | High | 50 K orphans prevented/ year |
| Breast early detection | Moderate | 20%–30% mortality reduction | Moderate‑Low | 50–70 K orphans prevented/ year |
| Breast comprehensive treatment | High | 85%–90% 5‑yr survival | Low | 130 K orphans prevented/ year |
| UHC + financial protection | Moderate | Improves treatment completion | Context‑dependent | Enables all interventions |
| Cash transfers (orphans) | High | Improves education, health | Moderate | Mitigates orphanhood impact |
| Psychosocial support | Moderate | Reduces mental health burden | High | Long‑term well‑being |
[i] Evidence levels: High = RCTs/systematic reviews; Moderate = observational/cohort; Low = limited data.
[ii] Feasibility: Based on resource requirements, infrastructure, and implementation complexity.
Figure 3
Conceptual framework: pathways from maternal cancer death to child outcomes and intervention points.