title: How women with gynaecological cancer deal with treatment: issues of visibility and invisibility.
abstract: Through the psycho-anthropological approach study of the experiences of women affected by pelvic gynaecological cancer who undergo surgical treatment, this paper explores how these women perceive their bodily aesthetic and the impact this has on their sexuality and their relationship with their partner. Gynaecological cancers impact women in several ways, including having an effect on the way that they feel their femininity and appearance are perceived by others. Indeed, gynaecological cancer affects a part of the body intimately associated with representations of desirability that are linked to sexuality. Surgical procedures can cause scarring which can result in having a visible, physical impact on the patient, whilst also affecting their sense of body image and sexual identity. Healing treatments are too often associated with the visible, aesthetic appearance and the physicality of body, and neglect to treat questions of subjectivity. As such, women are compelled to feel like they have an integral body image, and that they are obliged to have a perfect body and need to be physically attractive to their partner.
authors.affiliation: ADESS-CNRS UMR 5185, Bordeaux 2, Maison-des-Suds, 12, Esplanade-des-Antilles, 33607 Pessac cedex, France; Service de gynécologie chirurgicale-médicale et médecine de la reproduction, Bureau O. Delorme, CHU Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33076 Bordeaux cedex, France. Electronic address: carogiaco@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giacomoni
authors.affiliation: ADESS-CNRS UMR 5185, Bordeaux 2, Maison-des-Suds, 12, Esplanade-des-Antilles, 33607 Pessac cedex, France; Laboratoire de psychologie clinique et de psychopathologie, université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.affiliation: ADESS-CNRS UMR 5185, Bordeaux 2, Maison-des-Suds, 12, Esplanade-des-Antilles, 33607 Pessac cedex, France; Service de gynécologie chirurgicale-médicale et médecine de la reproduction, Bureau O. Delorme, CHU Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33076 Bordeaux cedex, France.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoarau
authors.affiliation: Institut Bergonié, 229, cours-de-l'Argonne, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guyon
authors.affiliation: Service de gynécologie chirurgicale-médicale et médecine de la reproduction, Bureau O. Delorme, CHU Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33076 Bordeaux cedex, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Conri
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Cancer Gynécologique; Gynaecological cancer; Relation de couple; Relationship; Sexuality; Sexualité; Traitements; Treatments