Are cervical Ca survivors getting the counseling they need?

Disease-free survivors of cervical cancer require counseling about possible long-term quality of life and sexual function issues, according to a study of 860 Korean women.

Researchers gave the women, who had been treated at one of six hospitals, a questionnaire that included the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, its Cervical Cancer Module, and additional sexual function items.

They found that the cervical cancer survivors were more likely to suffer from constipation and diarrhea, to have social and sexual function difficulties, and to report more severe lymphedema and menopausal symptoms and worse body image, sexual and/or vaginal functioning, sexual worry, and anxiety about sexual performance than controls (P<.01). In addition, those women receiving radiotherapy reported more dyspareunia than controls (P<.01).