title: Survey of cervical cancer survivors regarding quality of life and sexual function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the quality of life (QOL) of cervical cancer survivors in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cervical cancer survivors were selected from 4 Tertiary Provincial Hospitals in Changsha, Hunan Province. Enrolled were 140 patients who received cancer treatments in these hospitals from 2007 to 2010. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cervix (FACT-Cx) Questionnaire was used to assess the QOL of the participants. Spiritual well-being was evaluated with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-being (FACIT-Sp). Sexual function was measured with the Female Sexual Functioning Index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average total FACT-Cx score was 124.45 (70-157). The average FACT-general score was 112.39 (49-150), and the average FACIT-Sp score was 13.9 (2-33.6). The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in our participants was 78%. Factors that were associated with QOL in cervical cancer survivors included gastrointestinal symptoms, health insurance, age, sleep disorders, and the number of complications. Sexual function was affected by radiotherapy, age, type of surgery, sleep disorders, and occupation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The QOL and sexual function of cervical cancer survivors were lower than the general population. Treatment-related complications and sexual dysfunction significantly affected patients' QOL. Having health insurance was associated with better QOL. Sexual function was adversely affected by radiotherapy and radical hysterectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Humanistic Nursing, Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University; Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Wenjuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412007, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xiangcheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Nursing, School of Nursing, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541004, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yunyun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Qihui
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Humanistic Nursing, Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Guoping
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy