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Sexual function and quality of life in women with cervical cancer before radiotherapy: a pilot study

  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To achieve a better understanding of issues related to sexual function and quality of life (QOL) of women with cervical cancer before radiotherapy treatment.

Methods

A pilot study with 80 women with cervical cancer from Jan/2013 to Mar/2014. The outcome variables were sexual function assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and QOL, assessed using the World Health Organization questionnaire. Independent variables were clinical and sociodemographic data. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student’s t test, Mann–Whitney test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression.

Results

The mean age was 48.1 years, 57.5 % were premenopausal and 55 % had clinical stage IIIB. Thirty percent had been sexually active in the 3 months prior to their interviews. The main adverse events during sexual intercourse were bleeding (41.7 %), lack of pleasure (33.3 %), dyspareunia (25 %), and vaginal dryness (16.7 %). The 18 women who had been sexually active in the previous month showed significant sexual dysfunction (total mean FSFI score = 25.6). Advanced clinical stage, using any chronic medication and not having undergone surgery for cancer were negatively correlated with QOL. Higher family income, a longer duration of schooling and no smoking were positive correlated with QOL.

Conclusions

One-third of women with cervical cancer were sexually active 3 months prior to their interviews, but have concomitant significant sexual dysfunction. Factors related to the disease are primarily responsible for the deterioration of sexual function. QOL is influenced not only by factors related to the cancer itself, but also by lifestyle habits, comorbidities, and sociodemographic characteristics.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiotherapy Division, Department of Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas-SP, Brazil

    Regina Celia Grion & Ana Francisca Vaz

  2. Department of Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Alexander Fleming, 101, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas-SP, 13083-881, Brazil

    Luiz Francisco Baccaro, Lúcia Costa-Paiva & Aarão Mendes Pinto-Neto

  3. Breast Clinic, Hospital for Maternal and Child Healthcare, Goiânia-GO, Brazil

    Délio Marques Conde

Authors
  1. Regina Celia Grion
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  2. Luiz Francisco Baccaro
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  3. Ana Francisca Vaz
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  4. Lúcia Costa-Paiva
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  5. Délio Marques Conde
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  6. Aarão Mendes Pinto-Neto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luiz Francisco Baccaro.

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Conflict of interest

Regina Celia Grion, Luiz Francisco Baccaro, Ana Francisca Vaz, Lucia Costa-Paiva, Delio Marques Conde and Aarao Mendes Pinto-Neto declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding organization

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) number 2012/09215-7.

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Grion, R.C., Baccaro, L.F., Vaz, A.F. et al. Sexual function and quality of life in women with cervical cancer before radiotherapy: a pilot study. Arch Gynecol Obstet 293, 879–886 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3874-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3874-z

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