Abstract
Background: The consequences of therapeutic interventions for cancer have a negative impact on the patient's relationship and sexuality with his spouse. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of sexual life determinants on quality of life in Moroccan survivors of breast and lung cancers two years after diagnosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between May 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020. The sample consists of 304 breast cancer survivors and 77 lung cancer survivors. Data were collected using EORTC QLQ - C30 questionnaire and questions on the sexual life component inspired by the living conditions questionnaire. Results: The GHS/QOL of lung cancer survivors as well as the physical, role, and emotional functional scales are severely impaired compared to those of breast cancer survivors. In contrast, social and cognitive functions were good for both types of cancer. In addition, there is a significant correlation between the GHS/QOL of survivors of both cancers and the effect of health status on the couple's relationship and the negative effect of the disease on the sexual relationship. Whereas, the GHS/QOL of breast cancer participants also correlated with spouse change. The effect of health status on couple's relationship (p=0.000) and negative effect of disease on sexual relationship (p=0.000) were significant predictors of GHS/QoL (QLQ-C30) in breast cancer survivors. Whereas, the negative effect of disease on sexual relationship (p=0.020) was a significant predictor of GHS/QoL (QLQ-C30) in lung cancer survivors. Conclusion: The data suggest that sexual health education should be integrated into Medical and nursing curricula. In addition, health professionals should include an assessment of the effects of medical and surgical treatments on the sexuality of breast and lung cancer survivors.
Highlights
Advances in early detection and treatment of cancer imply that the number of survivors continues to increase, and, as a result, there has been an increased awareness of survival issues [1]
This is a cross-sectional study investigating the impact of sexual life determinants on the quality of life of Moroccan breast and lung cancer survivors treated at NIO in Rabat, and who were diagnosed at two years for breast cancer and between two and 18 months for lung cancer
This study showed that lung cancer survivors' overall quality of life was significantly impaired compared to breast cancer survivors
Summary
Advances in early detection and treatment of cancer imply that the number of survivors continues to increase, and, as a result, there has been an increased awareness of survival issues [1]. Breast cancer treatment leads to physical sexual problems, such as vaginal lubrication, decreased nipple sensation, and decreased desire due to treatment-induced menopause [14]. There is a significant correlation between the GHS/QOL of survivors of both cancers and the effect of health status on the couple's relationship and the negative effect of the disease on the sexual relationship. The effect of health status on couple's relationship (p=0.000) and negative effect of disease on sexual relationship (p=0.000) were significant predictors of GHS/QoL (QLQ-C30) in breast cancer survivors. The negative effect of disease on sexual relationship (p=0.020) was a significant predictor of GHS/QoL (QLQ-C30) in lung cancer survivors. Health professionals should include an assessment of the effects of medical and surgical treatments on the sexuality of breast and lung cancer survivors
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