Quality of life and sexual functioning in gynecological cancer patients: results from quantitative and qualitative data

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of the present study was to determine the quality of life levels of patients with gynecologic cancer and to find out the problems that affect their quality of life and sexual functioning. Methods: The research was carried out at the gynecologic oncology clinics of Istanbul University. The data were collected using The Quality of Life-Cancer Survivors (QOL-CS) Instrument with 100 survivors. Moreover, semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with 30 of these 100 subjects focusing on their sexual life. Key results: Overall QOL for this sample was moderate (X = 4.83 +/- 1.09) and gynecologic cancer and treatment procedures caused important problems that had a negative effect on physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of quality of life. In addition, it was found that treatment procedures assault a potential fourfold on sexual health, body image, gender role functioning (femininity), sexual functioning and fertility. Conclusion: Gynecologic cancer and treatment procedures cause important problems that have a negative effect on quality of life and sexual functioning is particularly impaired, being an important element of quality of life. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.