Quality of Life in Cervical Cancer Survivors

Boicea Ancuța¹, Nemes R², Scurtu S², Shencker M⁴, Iliescu D³

1 Department of Ocupational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova
2 Department of General Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova
3 Department of Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova
4 Department of Oncology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a public health problem, in Romania 5 women die every day and 8 are diagnosed each day with cervical cancer. Cervical cancer survivors experience a complexity of problems – physical, psychological and sexual-related to the consequences of disease and treatment. Quality of life in cervical cancer patients, as in all cancer diagnosed patients as well, depends on multiple variables. Aim: to determine the emotional and social impact of cervical cancer diagnoses and cancer-related quality of life.
Material and method: study was made over one year, between 2010 and 2011, on 50 patients who accepted to enter in our study, within a 3 year interval from diagnose to actual study.
Results: 60% presented anxiety and 80% distress. Weakness, fatigue was present in about 25% of patients. Sexual life was affected in 40% from cases.
Conclusion: quality of life in cervical cancer patients, as in all cancer diagnosed patients as well, depends on multiple variables; treatment present many side-effects and capacity to work can be affected as well.