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Sexual function of women surviving cervical cancer

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

Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

Our special thanks to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—CAPES, for granting a scholarship to the Masters student Camila Soares Lima Corrêa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora-(UFJF), Av. Eugênio do Nascimento, s/n - Dom Orione, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36038-330, Brazil

    Camila Soares Lima Corrêa

  2. Department of Collective Health, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora-(UFJF), Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil

    Isabel Cristina Gonçalves Leite & Maximiliano Ribeiro Guerra

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil

    Anna Paula Silva Andrade

  4. Department of Oncology, University Hospital of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora-(UFJF), Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil

    Adriana de Souza Sérgio Ferreira

  5. Faculty of Physiotherapy, Federal University of Juiz de Fora-(UFJF), Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil

    Simone Meira Carvalho

Authors
  1. Camila Soares Lima Corrêa
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  2. Isabel Cristina Gonçalves Leite
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  3. Anna Paula Silva Andrade
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  4. Adriana de Souza Sérgio Ferreira
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  5. Simone Meira Carvalho
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  6. Maximiliano Ribeiro Guerra
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Camila Soares Lima Corrêa.

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Conflict of interest

There was no conflict of interest.

Additional information

This study was conducted in the Faculty of Medicine at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora—Avenida Eugênio do Nascimento, Dom Bosco, Juiz de Fora (MG), Brazil.

I. C. G. Leite: CNPq Productivity Sponsorship, Process Number 303464/2013-5.

A. P. S. Andrade: Scientific Initiation Scholarship.

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Corrêa, C.S.L., Leite, I.C.G., Andrade, A.P.S. et al. Sexual function of women surviving cervical cancer. Arch Gynecol Obstet 293, 1053–1063 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-3857-0

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