J Gynecol Oncol.  2015 Apr;26(2):148-154. 10.3802/jgo.2015.26.2.148.

Quality of life and sexuality comparison between sexually active ovarian cancer survivors and healthy women

• Kim SI
• Lee Y
• Lim MC
• Joo J
• Park K
• Lee DO
• Park SY

• KMID: 2160798
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2015.26.2.148

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).
CONCLUSION
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.

Keyword

Cross-Sectional Studies; Ovarian Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Sexuality; Survivors

MeSH Terms

Adult
Case-Control Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health
Humans
Middle Aged
*Ovarian Neoplasms/epidemiology/psychology/rehabilitation
*Quality of Life/psychology
Sexual Behavior/*physiology/psychology
*Sexuality/physiology/psychology
Socioeconomic Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
*Survivors/psychology/statistics & numerical data

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Flow diagram depicting the selection of study population.

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