Qualidade de vida e função sexual de mulheres submetidas ao tratamento para o câncer do colo do útero

Abstract

The high curability of cervical cancer (CC), when detected early, coupled with the latest scientific advances in the treatment of disease, has contributed to increased survival of patients. However, its treatment can lead to significant late adverse effects such as sexual dysfunctions that compromise significantly the quality of life (QoL). Thus, it becomes essential to investigate the QoL and sexual function of survivors at the CC in order to verify, holistically, the real needs of these patients and guide the actions of inter and multidisciplinary teams. And with that, provide a convenient and humanizing care that meets all these requirements, it is not enough to increase survival, it is necessary to have this quality survival. Within this context, the main objective of this research was to assess quality of life and sexual function in women submitted to treatment for cervical cancer, and compare with a control group of women without a history of cancer. It is, analytical, observational, epidemiological study of case-control sample with a total of 74 women divided into cancer group - CaG (women submitted to treatment for cancer of the cervix for at least three months - n = 37) and population-based control group - CoG (women without a history of cancer - n = 37). Three questionnaires were applied: a general characterization of the sample, a survey for evaluating the quality of life, developed by the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF), and an instrument for assessment of sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index - FSFI). The control group had a higher frequency of women living with a partner (CoG = 73%; CaG = 51.4%, p = 0.05) and women who considered the relationship even as good or very good (CoG = 93 1%; CaG = 63.2%, p = 0.02). The following variables related to potential adverse effects of treatment were more frequent in the cancer group: menopause (CoG = 59.5%; CaG = 100%, p ˂ 0.01), bleeding during or after intercourse (CoG = 0; CaG = 36.8%, p ˂ 0.01) increase in the frequency (CoG = 0; CaG = 37.8%, p ˂ 0.01), urgency (CoG = 16.2%; CaG = 37.8 %, p = 0.03), incontinence (CoG = 10.8%; CaG = 35.1%, p = 0.02) and urinary retention (CoG = 2.7%; CaG = 21.6%, p = 0.02), diarrhea (CoG = 0; CaG = 43.2%, p ˂ 0.01), urgency (CoG = 0; CaG = 37.8%, p ˂ 0.01) and fecal incontinence (CoG = 0; CaG = 21.6%, p ˂ 0.01), pain (CoG = 0; CaG = 21.6%, p ˂ 0.01) and anal mucus (CoG = 0; CaG = 18.9% p = 0.01), rectal bleeding (CoG = 0; CaG = 24.3%, p ˂ 0.01) and lower limb lymphedema (CoG = 0; CaG = 35.1%, p ˂ 0.01). Moreover, the cancer group had worse results as related to sexual function variables: 64.9% reported narrow or too short vagina most were not sexually active (59.5%) and women who had sexual intercourse, 80 % dysfunctional. Statistically significant difference between groups in the fields "Physical" and "Social Relations" WHOQOL-BREF was found, while the average of these areas was higher in the control group. The averages of cancer group were statistically lower than the control group in all domains of FSFI, and total score of the instrument. Considering the results, it is concluded that there is negative impact of treatment for CC in QoL and sexual function of survivors. From this, one can contribute to giving greater visibility to these issues in clinical practice, seeking to guide interventions in order to attend all the needs of these patients, contributing to a better quality of life in survivors.