Long-term quality of life and sexual function of elderly people with endometrial or ovarian cancer

Abstract

Background With the growing number of older endometrial cancer (EC) and ovarian cancer (OC) survivors, data on long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) became an important issue in the management of older patients. So, the aim of this study was to describe and compare according to age long-term HRQoL, sexual function, and social deprivation of adults with either EC or OC. Methods A cross-sectional study was set up using data from the Côte d’Or gynecological cancer registry. A series of questionnaires assessing HRQoL (SF-12), sexual function (FSFI), anxiety/depression (HADS), social support (SSQ6) and deprivation (EPICES) were offered to women with EC or OC diagnosed between 2006 and 2013. HRQoL, sexual function, anxiety/depression, social support and deprivation scores were generated and compared according to age (< 70 years and ≥ 70 years). Results A total of 145 women with EC (N = 103) and OC (N = 42) participated in this study. Fifty-six percent and 38% of EC and OC survivors respectively were aged 70 and over. Treatment did not differ according to age either in OC or EC. The deprivation level did not differ between older and younger survivors with OC while older survivors with EC were more precarious. The physical HRQoL was more altered in older EC survivors. This deterioration concerned only physical functioning (MD = 24, p = 0.012) for OC survivors while it concerned physical functioning (MD = 30, p < 0.0001), role physical (MD = 22, p = 0.001) and bodily pain (MD = 21, p = 0.001) for EC survivors. Global health (MD = 11, p = 0.011) and role emotional (MD = 12, p = 0.018) were also deteriorated in elderly EC survivors. Sexual function was deteriorated regardless of age and cancer location with a more pronounced deterioration in elderly EC survivors for desire (p = 0.005), arousal (p = 0.015) and orgasm (p = 0.007). Social support, anxiety and depression were not affected by age regardless of location. Conclusion An average 6 years after diagnosis, the impact of cancer on HRQoL is greatest in elderly survivors with either EC or OC.

Nurse–patient sexual health communication in gynaecological cancer follow‐up: A qualitative study from nurses' perspectives

“…Studies of sexual health in older people in the general population are scarce, as are studies of the elderly gynaecological cancer population. One exception is a recent study that found that sexual function was reduced in gynaecological cancer patients in terms of desire, arousal, and orgasm, irrespective of age or cancer location, with a more noticeable decline in elderly endometrial cancer survivors (Mamguem Kamga et al, 2021). As the nurses in our study believed that attitudes were reflected in behaviour, our results indicate that greater knowledge of the sexual health, ages, and relationship statuses of gynaecological cancer patients are needed to encourage nurses to be open and non‐judgemental in their encounters with these patients.…”

Evaluation of Patient-Reported Symptoms and Functioning after Treatment for Endometrial Cancer

“…A previous study showed that sexual functioning in women with endometrial cancer deteriorated, regardless of age. In particular, desire for sexual activity in elderly women after primary endometrial cancer treatment, as well as arousal and reported orgasm levels, were significantly decreased in comparison to younger women [ 32 ]. Previous meta-analyses showed that physical activity interventions were associated with sexual interest but not sexual function [ 6 ].…”