ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We compared the psychosocial and psychosexual concerns of single and partnered women with gynecologic cancer, since relationship status and psychosocial context are known to affect sexuality, a life domain commonly affected by this cancer. METHOD: A cross-sectional convenience sample of 49 women (68% response), with ovarian (n=31), endometrial (n=12), and cervical (n=6) cancer, responded to a 72-item self-report Cancer Concerns Questionnaire and additional psychosocial questionnaires. RESULTS: Single (n=13) and partnered women (n=36) similarly reported prognosis as their highest concern, but single women (26% of the sample) reported that communication with the treatment team, treatment side effects, and prognosis were of greater salience to them than did partnered women. The latter group had greater sexuality and partner relationship concerns. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings suggest that relationship status, whether partnered or single, influences current psychosocial concerns among women with gynecologic cancer, despite similar levels of illness- and treatment-related intrusions on important life domains.
Subject(s)
Endometrial Neoplasms/psychology , Marital Status , Ovarian Neoplasms/psychology , Sick Role , Single Person/psychology , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , Adult , Communication , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/diagnosis , Depression/psychology , Endometrial Neoplasms/pathology , Endometrial Neoplasms/therapy , Female , Humans , Life Change Events , Marriage/psychology , Neoplasm Staging , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Ovarian Neoplasms/therapy , Patient Care Team , Personality Inventory/statistics & numerical data , Prognosis , Psychometrics , Sexual Behavior , Social Adjustment , Surveys and Questionnaires , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer patients experience a range of psychosocial sequelae, secondary to both disease and treatment (1, 2). Prevalence studies estimate that in the first 3 months following a gynecological cancer diagnosis, 47-70% of women experience symptoms of sufficient severity to merit a diagnosis of moderate/severe depression or anxiety (3, 4). Psycho-educational interventions appear to help in this regard (5). Consequently, Princess Margaret Hospital is initiating a psycho-educational group for newly diagnosed cervical cancer patients who will be receiving combined chemoradiation. PURPOSE: To offer the most effective program possible, this study aimed to define patients' informational preferences. METHOD: A retrospective needs assessment was conducted, involving women (n = 14) who had completed combined chemoradiation for a new cervical cancer diagnosis in the past 5 years. Patients were interviewed using a new measure based on previous literature (6, 7), which included both open-ended and Likert-type questions spanning a variety of topics. RESULTS: Analyses revealed treatment-related information to be most important to these women, with practical, emotional/social and sexual issues rated as somewhat less important. Further, the vast majority of patients stated that having the information they wanted when they were preparing for treatment would have reduced anxiety or stress, enhanced quality of life, and improved treatment and side effect management. Thus, the study's results will guide development of the psycho-educational group, employing an evidence-based approach to ameliorate patient care.
