title: Sexual function and quality of life in women with cervical cancer before radiotherapy: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To achieve a better understanding of issues related to sexual function and quality of life (QOL) of women with cervical cancer before radiotherapy treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pilot study with 80 women with cervical cancer from Jan/2013 to Mar/2014. The outcome variables were sexual function assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and QOL, assessed using the World Health Organization questionnaire. Independent variables were clinical and sociodemographic data. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student's t test, Mann-Whitney test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 48.1 years, 57.5 % were premenopausal and 55 % had clinical stage IIIB. Thirty percent had been sexually active in the 3 months prior to their interviews. The main adverse events during sexual intercourse were bleeding (41.7 %), lack of pleasure (33.3 %), dyspareunia (25 %), and vaginal dryness (16.7 %). The 18 women who had been sexually active in the previous month showed significant sexual dysfunction (total mean FSFI score = 25.6). Advanced clinical stage, using any chronic medication and not having undergone surgery for cancer were negatively correlated with QOL. Higher family income, a longer duration of schooling and no smoking were positive correlated with QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One-third of women with cervical cancer were sexually active 3 months prior to their interviews, but have concomitant significant sexual dysfunction. Factors related to the disease are primarily responsible for the deterioration of sexual function. QOL is influenced not only by factors related to the cancer itself, but also by lifestyle habits, comorbidities, and sociodemographic characteristics.
authors: Radiotherapy Division, Department of Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas-SP, Brazil.
authors: Regina Celia
authors: RC
authors: Grion
authors: Department of Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Alexander Fleming, 101, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas-SP, 13083-881, Brazil. baccaro@unicamp.br.
authors: Luiz Francisco
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8837-8061
authors: LF
authors: Baccaro
authors: Radiotherapy Division, Department of Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas-SP, Brazil.
authors: Ana Francisca
authors: AF
authors: Vaz
authors: Department of Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Alexander Fleming, 101, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas-SP, 13083-881, Brazil.
authors: Lúcia
authors: L
authors: Costa-Paiva
authors: Breast Clinic, Hospital for Maternal and Child Healthcare, Goiânia-GO, Brazil.
authors: Délio Marques
authors: DM
authors: Conde
authors: Department of Gynecology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Alexander Fleming, 101, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas-SP, 13083-881, Brazil.
authors: Aarão Mendes
authors: AM
authors: Pinto-Neto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000523:psychology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016387:Women's Health
keywords: Quality of life; Radiotherapy; Sexuality; Uterine cervical neoplasms