The differences in sexual satisfaction, quality of life, and social support between patients with prostate cancer and cervical cancer after radiotherapy.

Abstract

e20666 Background: Cervical cancer (CxCa) and prostate cancer (PRCa) have a major impact on sexuality, quality of life (QoL) and patients (pts) require social support(SS). Study aim was to compare sexual satisfaction and activity,QoL and level of required and received SS in group of CxCa and PRCa pts min.3 months after radical radiotherapy (RTH). Methods: 97pts were included to the study:50 non-metastatic PRCa pts (54-83y, M=68,8) and47 CxCa pts (27-69y,M=54,4) after RTH. Subjects filled out:QLQ-C30,PR25,CX24, Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS) and demographic data.The Chi2,t-Student test,and linear regression analyses were used (p<0,5). Results: However sexual activity and satisfaction in both cancer groups is significantly lower (p<0,05) than in healthy population, no differences were observed between CxCa and PRCa pts. No difference were found between general and any subscale of QoL in both groups, although men needed significantly more help with eating, dressing, washing or using the toilet. However,men felt less male than women less feminine because of cancer (p<0,001). Predictors to better femininity evaluation (R2=0,650;p<0,05)were: higher appetite, emotional functioning, perceived available instrumental support and marital status. Predictors of poor masculinity evaluation (R2=0,346;p<0,05)were: shortness of breath, age, lower perceived available emotional support. The most significant differences (p<0,05) were observed between groups in the evaluation of SS: perceived available emotional SS was higher in pts with CxCa than with PRCa, while protective-buffering SS, currently received emotional SS and general SS were higher in the group of PRCa than CxCa pts. Conclusions: QoL was similar in both groups, in some areas men needed more help that women. Sexual activity and satisfaction is lower in cancer pts in comparison with general population, but no differences were observed between CxCa and PRCa pts, however emotional SS was crucial for better sexual satisfaction. The more visible difference were found in SS, and even men with PRCa have been receiving more SS,women with CxCa perceived particular SS higher than in fact such support had experienced.