The quality of sexual life in women with gynaecological cancers


Golbasi Z., Erenel A. S.

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, vol.285, no.6, pp.1713-1717, 2012 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 285 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2012
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00404-011-2210-5
  • Journal Name: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1713-1717
  • Keywords: Gynaecological cancers, Quality of sexual life, Social support, CERVICAL-CANCER, SOCIAL SUPPORT, OF-LIFE
  • Lokman Hekim University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Objectives This cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim of determining the quality of sexual life and related factors in women with gynaecological cancers. Methods The study was conducted in the gynaecological oncology clinic of a state hospital. Women who were diagnosed with gynaecological cancers constituted the study population. Eighty married women who were diagnosed with cancer and who agreed to participate were included in the study. Data were collected by a personal data form, the Sexual Quality of Life (SQOL) Questionnaire-Female and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results The mean age of the women was 52.16 (SD 10.04). Of the patients, 61.3% had ovarian cancer, 22.5% endometrial cancer, and 13.8% cervical cancer and 56.3% had been diagnosed with cancer during the previous year. Sixty percent of the women were receiving cancer therapy. The mean score of MSPSS was 67.60 (SD 14.03), and SQOL was 52.50 (SD 22.87). Although there was no signiWcant diVerence between mean SQOL according to individual and disease characteristics, a positive statistically signiWcant relationship was detected between total and subdimension (family, friend and signiWcant other) scores of MSPSS (p < 0.05). Conclusions According to the results obtained from the study, it can be stated that the sexual quality of life of women with gynaecological cancers is moderate and social support, especially support from a signiWcant person, may aVect quality of sexual life positively. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.