Assessment of sexuality in elderly patients with cancer-specific treatments

Abstract

Background: sexuality is inherent and accompanies human beings throughout life. In senior citizens it is determined by states of mind, it is a component of the quality of life.Objective: to characterize sexuality in elderly patients diagnosed with cancer, who underwent surgical treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the “María Curie” Provincial Teaching Oncology Hospital of Camagüey, from February 2019 to January 2021.Methods: a quasi-experimental study was carried out for a single group in 687 oncological patients aged 60 years and over, out of those referred to in the objective. They underwent a medical and psychological interview in a preoperative assessment consultation and one year after the cancer-specific treatments had been completed. The presence or absence of sexual activity and frequency of intercourse was taken by declaration of each patient.ConclusionsResults: more than three quarters of the patients were between 60 and 69 years old (94.6%), with a greater presence of women (52.6%). 73% were married. It was shown that sexual activity after cancer-specific treatments is three times more likely to be negatively affected (odds ratio 3.879). There was a decrease in the frequency of sexual activity in both sexes, especially in those who, prior to treatment, showed a fortnightly and monthly frequency. According to the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, mild depression is twice as likely after cancer-specific treatments (odds ratio 2.725).Conclusions: after the treatments, sexual activity and frequency were affected, in both sexes, for indefinite periods.

Keywords

• aged
• sexuality
• neoplasms
• therapeutics
• psychotherapeutic processes