TURKISH JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2016 , Vol 31 , Num 4
Sexual Experience of Women After Pelvic Radiotherapy for Cervical Cancer
Reyhan AYDIN1,Ümran YEŞILTEPE OSKAY2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul-Türkiye
2Department of Women\'s Health and Illness Nursing İstanbul University Florance Nightingel Nursing Faculty, İstanbul-Türkiye
DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2016.1472 OBJECTIVE

Study was designed to assess the sexual experience, thoughts, and problems of women who were treated with pelvic radiotherapy due to cervical cancer.

METHODS

Twenty-six sexually active patients with the history of a minimum three-month interval of pelvic radiotherapy between March 20 ? June 20, 2014, for routine follow ups and gave consent for trial were enrolled to the study.Sexual life before cancer, diagnosis, and treatment period and its effect on sexual life were assessed with semi-configurated score scale created by researcher group.

RESULTS

The main themes were postcoital and postmenopausal bleeding as a diagnosis finding, vaginal stricture, vaginal dryness, decreased sexual desire either in partners and in patients as main sexual problems.

CONCLUSION

Health caregivers should be aware of this situation and should encourage to express their problems and should present individual, effective consultancy to each patient. Keywords : Cervical canser; pelvic radiotherapy; sexual life