Open AccessInitial Study of Sexual Function Among Cervical Cancer Survivors in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Author(s) -
Roza Pak,
Dilyara Kaidarova
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of global oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.002
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 2378-9506
DOI - 10.1200/jgo.18.50400
Subject(s) - orgasm , medicine , cervical cancer , sexual function , sexual desire , cervix , hysterectomy , gynecology , radiation therapy , obstetrics , sexual dysfunction , cancer , human sexuality , surgery , gender studies , sociology
Background: There were not any evaluation of sexual dysfunction of cervix cancer patients in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to date. The study of 58 CC patients is an attempt to start filling this gap and to develop recommendations for the treatment of this kind of patients. Aim: The objective of this study was to examine sexual function of cervical cancer (CC) survivors receded different treatment approaches. Methods: 58 women subjected to CC treatment of at least 1 year in the past were examined at the initial stage of the research. The examined women were split into 5 groups by treatment methods: conization of cervix, hysterectomy with removal of ovaries, hysterectomy without removal of (one or both) ovaries, chemotherapy with radiotherapy, and those passed exclusively radiotherapy. The sexual function of the examined women was evaluated through Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) instrument consisted of 19 questions. The questions were mainly related to the main aspects like desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain. The data were collected by online and face-to-face interviews. Results: The median age of the 58 interviewed women was 44.5 years. 49 of the interviewees reported that they experienced desire. 79% of the interviewed women had sexual activity, among which 74% answers pointed out high lubrication condition above 2 within 0-5 possible range, 66% indicated high score of excitation, while 72% replied positively on orgasm section of the questionnaire. The highest portion of sexual active women experienced satisfaction (76%) although 33 of the interviewees felt the pain during coitus. The total FSFI score varied between 3.9 and 32.4 in the group of women who reported their sexual activity. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that lower total score of sexual function index is found in the patients passed chemotherapy with radiotherapy, or those cured exclusively with radiotherapy. In parallel, the highest score is traced in the women treated surgically. Therefore, it proves that surgery is more preferable treatment to keep higher level of sexual function in patients with cervix cancer. For the purpose of higher accuracy at the next stages of the research the inclusion of control group of women without history of cancer and with similar social, economic and demographic characteristics is needed.