The quality of sexual life in women with gynaecological cancers

This cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim of determining the quality of sexual life and related factors in women with gynaecological cancers. The study was conducted in the gynaecological oncology clinic of a state hospital. Women who were diagnosed with gynaecological cancers constituted the study population. Eighty married women who were diagnosed with cancer and who agreed to participate were included in the study. Data were collected by a personal data form, the Sexual Quality of Life (SQOL) Questionnaire-Female and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The mean age of the women was 52.16 (SD 10.04). Of the patients, 61.3% had ovarian cancer, 22.5% endometrial cancer, and 13.8% cervical cancer and 56.3% had been diagnosed with cancer during the previous year. Sixty percent of the women were receiving cancer therapy. The mean score of MSPSS was 67.60 (SD 14.03), and SQOL was 52.50 (SD 22.87). Although there was no significant difference between mean SQOL according to individual and disease characteristics, a positive statistically significant relationship was detected between total and subdimension (family, friend and significant other) scores of MSPSS ( < 0.05). According to the results obtained from the study, it can be stated that the sexual quality of life of women with gynaecological cancers is moderate and social support, especially support from a significant person, may affect quality of sexual life positively.