Abstract
The sexual problems of patients with gynecological cancer were investigated. This qualitative study was conducted among eleven
Turkish women who were treated in the gynecologic oncology clinic and aged between 30 and 55 years old. Data was collected
using a semi-structured questionnaire. Of the cases, 55 % had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, 27 % with cervical cancer
and 18 % with endometrial cancer. The participants had been affected in terms of body image, sexual functioning, wifehood
and motherhood and reproductive ability. Most of the participants reported severe decreases in such features as sexual desire,
arousal, the frequency of intercourse and orgasm. In addition, all participants reported that they wanted information from
health care professionals (preferably female) and to be able to share problems with them. Sexuality remains a problem that
is ignored by healthcare professionals in Turkey. As a vital component in terms of quality of life, healthcare professionals
should utilize a more sensitive and personalized approach to sexuality with patients.
Turkish women who were treated in the gynecologic oncology clinic and aged between 30 and 55 years old. Data was collected
using a semi-structured questionnaire. Of the cases, 55 % had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, 27 % with cervical cancer
and 18 % with endometrial cancer. The participants had been affected in terms of body image, sexual functioning, wifehood
and motherhood and reproductive ability. Most of the participants reported severe decreases in such features as sexual desire,
arousal, the frequency of intercourse and orgasm. In addition, all participants reported that they wanted information from
health care professionals (preferably female) and to be able to share problems with them. Sexuality remains a problem that
is ignored by healthcare professionals in Turkey. As a vital component in terms of quality of life, healthcare professionals
should utilize a more sensitive and personalized approach to sexuality with patients.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s11195-012-9263-7
- Authors
- Meltem Demirgoz Bal, Health College of Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Turkey
- Sema Dereli Yilmaz, Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
- Nezihe Kızılkaya Beji, Department of Gynecologic and Obstetrics Nursing, Florence Nightingale Nursing Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Journal Sexuality and Disability
- Online ISSN 1573-6717
- Print ISSN 0146-1044