Quality of life after treatment for cervical cancer

• Main Authors: Rafaella Araújo Correia, Cristine Vieira do Bonfim, Daniela Karina da Silva Ferreira, Betise Mery Alencar Sousa Macau Furtado, Heitor Victor Veiga da Costa, Kéllida Moreira Alves Feitosa, Solange Laurentino dos Santos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro 2018-11-01
• Series: Escola Anna Nery
• Subjects: Uterine cervical neoplasms; Quality of life; Oncologic Nursing; Women's health
• Online Access: http://revodonto.bvsalud.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1414-81452018000400225&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract Objective: Identify the quality of life of women treated for cervical cancer according to their clinical and socioeconomic characteristics. Methods: This was a analytical study on women who were treated for cervical cancer by means of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. To evaluate their quality of life, the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire was applied. The Mann-Whitney test was used to investigate associations between domains and variables. Results: There were associations (p < 0.05) between the WHOQOL-bref domains and the variables of income, conjugal situation, leisure activities and treatment undergone. The physical and psychological domains were associated with overall quality of life (R = 0.54 and R = 0.63, respectively). Conclusions: Socioeconomic conditions and the type of treatment undergone influenced the quality of life of these women after their treatment. There is a need to increase the reach of cervical cancer screening among women who are less economically favored; and, after treatment, to offer alternative measures that soften the secondary effects.