Sexual Functioning in Women with Gynecologic Cancer

Chun, Nami; Park, Young Sook

doi:2006.12.4.308

Korean J Women Health Nurs > Volume 12(4); 2006 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2006;12(4):308-315.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2006.12.4.308

Sexual Functioning in Women with Gynecologic Cancer

¹#301-505 Shinsung Apt., Pureunmaeul, Soonae-3dong, Bundang, Sungnam, Kyungkido, Korea. nami.chun@samsung.com
²School of Nursing, Seoul National University, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to identify sexual functioning in women with gynecologic cancer. METHOD: Sexually active women with gynecologic cancer without evidence of distant metastasis were recruited in Seoul, Korea from a university medical center. Subjects were asked to complete an anonymous mail-back survey on their sexual functioning. RESULT: One hundred eighty four women completed questionnaires. Their mean age was 51.0 years and 96.2% lived with their husbands. Subjects were diagnosed with cervical cancer(53.8%), ovarian cancer (27.7%), or endometrial cancer(18.5%). Sexual functioning for women with gynecologic cancer was relatively low, 15.4, in comparison to Rosen's cutoff scores of 26.6. Univariate analyses indicated that age, employment status, and their monthly income were significantly associated with sexual functioning. Tumor staging, treatment modality, and hormone replacement therapy were also significantly associated factors with women's sexual functioning. Sexual arousal, orgasm, and pain were affected by time since last treatment.
CONCLUSION
Sexual counselling or education for women with gynecologic cancer should be considered by medical professionals in order to improve their quality of life including sexual functioning.

Key Words: Sexual functioning; Gynecologic cancer