Sexual function of women surviving cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the sexual function of survivors of cervical cancer (CC) in comparison to the control group of women without a history of cancer. METHODS: This was an observational, analytical, case-control study. In the cancer group, women subjected to CC treatment of at least 3 months in the past were included (n = 37). For each survivor, one random selection from a base population control group was made (n = 37) of a woman without a history of cancer and with similar socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The sexual function was evaluated through the female sex function index (FSFI) instrument. Data collection occurred through the application of questions in a face-to-face interview. RESULTS: In the cancer group, 64.9 % related vaginal stenosis or shortening; 59.5 % were not sexually active and of those which had sexual relations, 80 % showed dysfunction. The total FSFI score varied between 9.60 and 35.10 in the cancer group and 23.90 and 36.00 in the control group. The means of the cancer group were statistically inferior (P < 0.05) to the control group in all the FSFI domains and in the total score. The mean total score was 21.72 in the cancer group, classified as sexual dysfunction when considering a score of 26 as the cutoff point. CONCLUSION: CC treatment was found to have a negative impact on the sexual function of women. Further, sexual function should be monitored routinely by interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care with the objective of an improved quality of life post-cancer.

Qualidade de vida e fatores associados em mulheres sobreviventes ao câncer do colo do útero / Quality of life and associated factors in women's cervical cancer survivors

O tratamento para o câncer do colo do útero pode levar à ocorrência de efeitos adversos tardios, como disfunções sexuais, intestinais ou urinárias; menopausa precoce e linfedema em membro inferior, os quais podem ter impacto negativo na qualidade de vida. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a qualidade de vida de sobreviventes ao câncer do colo do útero, seus fatores associados e comparar a qualidade de vida com um grupo controle de mulheres sem história de câncer. O grupo câncer foi composto por mulheres com término do tratamento há três meses (n= 37). O grupo controle, de base populacional, foi composto por mulheres sem história de câncer (n= 37). A qualidade de vida foi avaliada pelo WHOQOL-bref e a função sexual pelo Female Sexual Function Índex. Variáveis clínicas, terapêuticas e socioeconômicas foram avaliadas por questionário desenvolvido pelos autores. Em comparação ao controle, o grupo câncer apresentou maior percentual de mulheres que viviam sem companheiro, que consideravam o relacionamento com o companheiro como ruim/regular e que apresentavam disfunções urinárias, intestinais e sexuais. Além disso, o grupo câncer apresentou piores escores nos domínios "Físico" e "Relações Sociais" do WHOQOL-bref (p=0,03 e 0,01, respectivamente). Foram fatores independentemente associados ao domínio "Físico": linfedema de membros inferiores e retenção urinária; e ao domínio "Relações Sociais": apoio social de amigos e estenose/encurtamento vaginal. Os resultados sugerem impacto negativo da doença e de seu tratamento sobre a qualidade de vida das sobreviventes. Deve-se investigar a qualidade de vida e os fatores que a influenciam, visando um atendimento mais integral, direcionado às necessidades das pacientes, por meio de equipe multiprofissional.

The treatment for cervical cancer can lead to late adverse effects such as sexual, bowel or urinary dysfunction; early menopause and lymphedema in the lower limb, which may have a negative impact on quality of life. The objective was to assess the quality of life of cervical cancer survivors, their associated factors, and to compare quality of life with a control group of women with no history of cancer. Women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer from a minimum of three months were included in the cancer group (n = 37). In the control group, which is population-based, were included women without history of cancer (n = 37). The quality of life was evaluated using the WHOQOL-bref and the sexual function by the Female Sexual Function Index. Clinical, therapeutic and socioeconomic variables were evaluated by a questionnaire developed by the authors. In comparison to control group, the cancer group presented higher proportion of women who lived without a partner and who considered the relationship with their partner as poor / regular. In addition, cervical cancer survivors have urinary, intestinal and sexual dysfunctions. Besides, the cancer group exhibited poor score in the "Physical" and "Social Relations" domains of WHOQOL-bref (p = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively). The factors independently associated with "Physical" domain were lower limb lymphedema and urinary retention, and with "Social Relations" domain were social support of friends and vaginal stenosis / shortening. The results suggest negative impact of the disease and its treatment on quality of life of cervical cancer survivors. Thus, it should be investigated the quality of life and the factors associated with it in order to improve patient's care, which should be performed by multiprofessional team.