title: Quality of life and sexuality comparison between sexually active ovarian cancer survivors and healthy women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  compare quality of life (QoL) and sexual functioning between sexually active ovarian cancer survivors and healthy women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed in 103 successfully treated ovarian cancer survivors and 220 healthy women. All women had engaged in sexual activity within the previous 3 months, and ovarian cancer survivors were under surveillance after primary treatment without evidence of disease. QoL and sexual functioning were assessed using three questionnaires; the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), Ovarian Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-OV28), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Propensity score matching was used to adjust covariates between the ovarian cancer survivor and healthy women groups. In total, 73 ovarian cancer survivors and 73 healthy women were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Poorer social functioning (mean, 82.4 vs. 90.9; p=0.010) and more financial difficulties (mean, 16.4 vs. 7.8; p=0.019) were observed among ovarian cancer survivors than among healthy women. Sexuality, both in terms of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain and in terms of interest in sex, sexual activity, and enjoyment of sex (EORTC QLQ-OV28) were similar between the groups. However, vaginal dryness was more problematic in ovarian cancer survivors, with borderline statistical significance (p=0.081).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexuality was not impaired in ovarian cancer survivors who were without evidence of disease after primary treatment and having sexual activities, compared with healthy women, whereas social functioning and financial status did deteriorate. Prospective cohort studies are needed.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.; Center for Uterine Cancer, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors: Se Ik
authors: SI
authors: Kim
authors: Center for Uterine Cancer, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors: Yumi
authors: Y
authors: Lee
authors: Center for Uterine Cancer, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.; Gynecologic Cancer Branch, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea. gynlim@gmail.com.
authors: Myong Cheol
authors: MC
authors: Lim
authors: Biometric Research Branch, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors: Jungnam
authors: J
authors: Joo
authors: Biometric Research Branch, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.; Jaseng Medical Foundation, Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Kibyung
authors: K
authors: Park
authors: Center for Uterine Cancer, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors: Dong Ock
authors: DO
authors: Lee
authors: Center for Uterine Cancer, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.; Gynecologic Cancer Branch, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
authors: Sang Yoon
authors: SY
authors: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Cross-Sectional Studies; Ovarian Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Sexuality; Survivors