Evaluation of Sexual Function in Patients with Gynecologic Cancer and Evidence-Based Nursing Interventions

Abstract

Sexual health is the integrity of somatic, intellectual, mental, emotional and social aspects of any individual. The cancer causes higher rates of sexuality related problems than other chronic diseases. Both the cancer diagnosis and the methods of treatment such as organ excision, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, the usage of hormones and cytostatic negatively affect the women's sexuality. Some models are used for diagnosing sexual dysfunction. These models are ALARM model, Kaplan model, Triphasic model, PLISSIT model, IMB model and BETTER model. It is important to evaluate the cancer patient's sexual function and utilize evidence-based nursing intervention. The aim of present review is to examine the models which were used to determine the effect of gynaecologic cancers on sexual life. Moreover, it is aimed to evaluate the evidence-based nursing interventions to identify problems.Keywords Sexuality Á Gynecologic cancer Á Model Á Evidence-based nursing Á Turkey Today, cancer is one of the most important health problems. In 2009 approximately 560,340 people in the USA have lost their lives due to cancer. Furthermore approximately 80,720 women have gynecological cancer and consequently 28,120 women have died. For those patients, one-year survival rates varied between 75 and 92% and 5 years survival rates varied between 45 and 72% [1].

Evaluation of Sexual Dysfunction and Affecting Factors in Turkish Women with Gynecological Cancer

“…Constantly declining sexual desire and libido are among the most common problems. The symptoms leading to changes in body image, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, intense stress and physical weakness were blamed for causing reductions in sexual desire [16]. During the study interviews, the women stated that problems associated with cancer treatment, such as hair loss, weight gain, and nausea, affected their external appearance in a negative manner.…”

Discussing Sexuality with Cancer Patients: Oncology Nurses Attitudes and Views

“…Apart from cultural ones, many factors prevent nurses from evaluating the sexual health of patients and providing counseling to them (Krebs, 2008;Hordern, 2008;Algier and Sultan, 2008;Pınar, 2010;Gölbaşı and Evcili, 2013). Even though sexual counseling is known as an important part of nursing care, many studies report that nurses have difficulties in Umran Oskay et al dealing with this issue (Gordon, 1982;Shell, 2007;Julien et al, 2010;Oskay et al, 2011;Chun, 2011).…”

The Relationship among a Palliative Care Service, Patient’s Factors, and Quality of Life of Post Treatment Cervical Cancer Patients: a Causal Model Approach

“…Healthcare providers are responsible for providing information and practical care so they should acknowledge patients' competency knowledge on disease and treatment, and they should possess effective communication skills and understanding of women with CC. 9,11,12 Previous studies have reported that QOL was lower in ACC-PT post-treatment compared to that of other women. [2][3][4]13 PC is one of health delivery services that support symptom management, symptom control, and QOL of post-treatment cervical cancer patients (PTCC-PT).…”

“…This study aimed to promote QOL for the PTCC-PT depending on multidimensional factors, including patients' dimensional factors and PC dimensional factors that enhance patients' self-management behaviors to reduce physical, mental, and social health problems. Patients' dimensional factors investigated in this study included demographic factors (age of the patients 9,18 , social support 4,5,19 , and patients' self-management) 7,12,15,20 , as well as medical factors (the stage of disease 13 , radiation therapy/ combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy (RT/CCRT) 9,21 , and comorbidities 3 ). PC dimensional factors included model of care 22,23 , provider competence 7 , and provider support.…”