Original scientific paper
Sexual Life after Cervical Carcinoma
Damir Buković
Tomislav Strinić
Mario Habek
Iva Hojsak
Hrvoje Silovski
Ivo Krhen
Ivana Maloča
Mirjana Radan
Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine the differences in sexual life of women with cervical
cancer after surgery and radiation therapy. A total of 210 patients treated for cervical
cancer at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University
of Zagreb, Croatia between March 2001 and March 2003 were asked to fill in the
questionnaire. Sexual life had worsened in 42.86% of the surgical patients, as had in
25.00% of irradiated patients (p<0.01). The main reason of sex life impairment was fear
of pain (55.55% and 42.86%, respectively (p>0.05)). More than 80% of patients didn’t notice
any changes in their partner’s behavior. Almost every third woman felt certain
change in her »body image«, similar in both groups (p>0.05). Need for consultations regarding
sex life after diagnosis were recognized by 71.43% of patients. In conclusion we
can say that considerable amount of attention should be given to psychological and sexual
aspects of recovery of patients, because those aspects can significantly influence patients
rehabilitation and prognosis.
Keywords
sexual life; cervical cancer; psychological and social aspects; sexual rehabilitation
Hrčak ID:
28068
URI
Publication date:
16.6.2003.
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