Sexual behavior of gynecologic cancer patients

Abstract

The emotional as well as the physical impact of gynecologic cancer may be particularly felt in the area of sexual attitudes and behavior. Women newly diagnosed with gynecologic cancer were interviewed regarding their sexual behavior prior to diagnosis and treatment and how their activities changed after diagnosis. A significant decrease in sexual activity and satisfaction was reported. These findings can be used as a guideline for counseling the women with gynecologic cancer in conjunction with her partner.

Sexuality and Cancer in Women

“…The most convincing empirically confirmed prognostic variables which should be incorporated into future research are -partner-related factors, such as availability, attitude, health and length of relationship (Alha & Nieminen, 1974;Andersen & Hacker, 1983b;Andersen et al, 1986Andersen et al, , 1989Andreasson et al, 1986;Bos-Branolte, 1987;Beck & Nokorovicz, 1980;Harris et al, 1982;Henning & Schulz, 1975;Lamont et al, 1978;Lindner & Pecka, 1969;Moth et al, 1983;Novotna & Tuckova, 1979;Sewell & Edwards, 1980 Weijmar Schultz et al, 1986Van de Wiel, Weijmar Schultz, Wouda et al, 1990); -health-care-provider-related factors, such as patient education and/or counseling (Andersen et al, 1988(Andersen et al, , 1989Andreasson et al, 1986;Capone et al, 1980;Jenkins, 1988;Lamont et al, 1978;Lasnik & Tatra, 1986;Moth et al, 1983;Stellman et al, 1984;Weijmar Schultz et al, 1986Van de Wiel, Weijmar Schultz, Wouda et al, 1990); -past sexual experiences (i.e., pre treatment sexual behaviour) (Wei jmar Schultz & Van de Wiel, 1991); -body-image (Andersen & Hacker, 1983a, 1983bAndersen & Jochimsen, 1985;Seibel et al, 1982;Sewell & Edwards, 1980); -pretreatment libidinal level (Breitner, 1975); -anxiety (Adelusi, 1980;Andersen et al, 1989;…”

“…The sexually disruptive effects of symptoms prior to the discovery of gynaecological malignant disease have been studied by Harris et al (1982) and Andersen et al (1986). The former study is of limited value because of the absence of statistical analyses and comparison groups, and the lack of distinction between the different kinds of cancer.…”

Sexual activity level and sexual functioning in women prenatally exposed to diethylstilbestrol.

“…Such an inhibition has been described for patients with recent onset of symptoms and recent diagnosis of gynecologic cancer prior to onset of treatment (38], although in such a group the sexual effects of physical symptoms and emotional responses are hard to separate. We had chosen PAP women as the control group because of the inherent similarity of their medical condition to that of the DES women inasmuch as both groups of women exhibit changes of the genital tract, have spontaneous (or surgical) lesions to various degrees, and are aware of cancer and reproductive risks.…”

Recontextualizing sexuality in chronic illness: Women and interstitial cystitis

“…These preliminary studies explored mastectomy, premenstrual syndrome, and menopause (Nursing Research Emphasis Grant NU 0 1049-03) and began with a broad definition of sexuality, that is, the position that sexuality is more than biological or reproductive sex; it is an "integrated, individualized, unique expression of self" (Morrison & Borosage, 1973, p. 37). While many studies of patients reduce the concept of sexuality to sexual behavior, body image, or, even more narrowly, sexual intercourse (Harris et al, 1982;Stoklosa et al, 1980), we wished to recognize the importance of emotional, cultural, and other subjective factors in relation to the ways a woman feels about herself "as a woman." This perspective on sexuality is consistent with that of a growing number of experts on sexuality and chronic illness (McCormick, 1994;Schover & Jensen, 1988).…”