Evaluation of Sexual Life in Patients with Gynecologic Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy

This study examined the sexual quality of life and associated factors in patients with gynecological cancer undergoing radiotherapy. This prospective study was conducted in the Radiation Oncology Clinic of a Training and Research Hospital between August 2018 and April 2019. The study sample consisted of 40 female patients with gynecological cancer who received radiotherapy. Data were collected using a questionnaire form, the scale of sexual quality of life, and Edmonton symptom assessment scale. The forms were completed during radiotherapy and 3  months after the completion of radiotherapy. The most frequent symptoms during radiotherapy were reported as frequent urination (97.5%) and tiredness (78.1%). Nausea, lack of appetite, wellbeing, and skin problems significantly reduced after radiotherapy (p ≤ 0.001). The mean score of the scale of sexual quality of life did not differ significantly during and after radiotherapy. Diagnosis time and symptoms of depression affected sexuality during radiotherapy. Sexual quality of life was affected by concurrent chemoradiotherapy, tiredness and well being symptoms after radiotherapy (p ≤ 0.05). The majority of patients reported an influence on sexual intercourse with their spouses; however, sexual problems were not an issue because of the support given by their spouses. Radiotherapy was found to affect the sexual quality of life in patients with gynecological cancer. We sug gested that practices related to improving the sexu...
Source: Sexuality and Disability - Category: Disability Source Type: research