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Bladder and bowel symptoms in cervical and endometrial cancer survivors
Author(s) -
Donovan Kristine A.,
Boyington Alice R.,
Judson Patricia L.,
Wyman Jean F.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.3461
Subject(s) - medicine , endometrial cancer , cervical cancer , body mass index , cancer , quality of life (healthcare) , bladder cancer , colorectal cancer , hysterectomy , gynecology , surgery , nursing
Background Previous studies likely underestimate the prevalence of bowel and bladder symptoms in gynecologic cancer survivors. We sought to estimate the prevalence of these symptoms in cervical and endometrial cancer survivors who had completed treatment 1 year previously compared with non‐cancer controls, and to examine factors associated with more severe symptoms in survivors. Methods As part of a larger quality of life study, survivors who were 1‐year posttreatment for cervical or endometrial cancer ( n = 104) completed measures of bladder and bowel symptoms. An age‐matched and race/ethnicity‐matched sample of women with no history of cancer was recruited for comparison purposes. Results Survivors reported a higher prevalence of bladder symptoms, specifically storage and incontinence symptoms, than non‐cancer controls. Prevalence rates for bowel symptoms in survivors were higher than those reported in previous studies. Greater symptom severity was associated with younger age, lower annual incomes, and less education. Other correlates included higher body mass index and history of smoking. As hypothesized, more severe symptoms were associated with radical hysterectomy and pelvic radiation. Conclusions Bladder and bowel symptoms are more prevalent in cervical and endometrial cancer survivors than non‐cancer controls. Future research should replicate these findings in a larger, prospective study. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.