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Quality of life and sexual problems in disease‐free survivors of cervical cancer compared with the general population
Author(s) -
Park Sang Yoon,
Bae DukSoo,
Nam Joo Hyun,
Park Chong Taik,
Cho ChiHeum,
Lee Jong Min,
Lee Myung Kyung,
Kim Soo Hyun,
Park Sang Min,
Yun Young Ho
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.23094
Subject(s) - medicine , sexual function , quality of life (healthcare) , cervical cancer , worry , sexual dysfunction , population , anxiety , constipation , lymphedema , cancer , gynecology , physical therapy , psychiatry , breast cancer , nursing , environmental health
BACKGROUND. The purpose of this study was to identify problems related to long‐term quality of life (QOL) and sexual function in cervical cancer survivors. METHODS. The authors enrolled 860 women (median time since diagnosis, 5.86 years) with a history of cervical cancer (stage I to IVa) who had been treated at any of 6 hospitals from 1983 through 2004 and 494 control subjects selected randomly from a representative sample of Korean women. Subjects filled out a questionnaire that included the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ‐C30, its Cervical Cancer Module, and additional sexual function items. RESULTS. Cervical cancer survivors had clinically significant worse problems with social functioning, constipation, diarrhea, and difficulties with their finances than controls ( P < .01). Survivors also reported more severe lymphedema and menopausal symptoms and worse body image, sexual and/or vaginal functioning, and sexual worry ( P < .01). Anxiety about sexual performance was more problematic in survivors than in controls ( P < .01), as was dyspareunia for women who received radiotherapy ( P < .01). CONCLUSIONS. These findings can increase the awareness of healthcare providers to the potential need for counseling and other interventions among women who have been successfully treated for cervical cancer and could help them improve their impaired QOL. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.