Li Chia-Chun, Feng Tsui-Hsia
PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, ROC.
MSN, RN, Instructor, School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, ROC.
Hu Li Za Zhi. 2022 Aug;69(4):20-26. doi: 10.6224/JN.202208_69(4).04.
Cervical cancer, uterus cancer, and ovarian cancer are three common gynecological cancers. After diagnosis, the three therapeutic modalities available for treating gynecological cancers include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. During the diagnostic and treatment periods, these patients usually suffer from physical and psychologic distresses, including menopausal symptoms, infertility, sexual dysfunction, incontinence, anxiety, depression, and relationship changes, among others. Support from family members and significant others has the potential to buffer the psychological distress perceived by patients with gynecological cancers. However, those patients who undergo invasive treatment modalities or have intimate issues such as brachytherapy, the need to use a vaginal dilator, and sexual dysfunction tend to conceal relevant information from their families or friends, which may increase self-perceived loneliness when facing the impacts of the disease and treatments. Healthcare providers may help alleviate patients' psychological stresses by providing psychological support in a timely manner, initiating discussions of intimate issues, and fulfilling patient needs for related information. In addition, healthcare providers may provide one-on-one counseling and individualized care information to increase patients' understanding of their health status. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients may self-isolate to avoid becoming infected or to recuperate from a COVID-19 infection, causing social isolation or delays of cancer treatment. Healthcare providers may further place caring phone calls and provide treatment information to increase patients' social support and lessen their psychological distress.
宫颈癌、子宫癌和卵巢癌是三种常见的妇科癌症。确诊后，可用于治疗妇科癌症的三种治疗方式包括手术、化疗和放疗。在诊断和治疗期间，这些患者通常会遭受身体和心理上的困扰，包括更年期症状、不孕、性功能障碍、尿失禁、焦虑、抑郁以及人际关系变化等。家庭成员和重要他人的支持有可能缓解妇科癌症患者所感受到的心理困扰。然而，那些接受侵入性治疗方式或面临近距离放射治疗、需要使用阴道扩张器以及性功能障碍等隐私问题的患者，往往会向家人或朋友隐瞒相关信息，这可能会在面对疾病和治疗的影响时增加自我感知的孤独感。医疗服务提供者可以通过及时提供心理支持、开启关于隐私问题的讨论以及满足患者对相关信息的需求来帮助减轻患者的心理压力。此外，医疗服务提供者可以提供一对一的咨询和个性化的护理信息，以增加患者对自身健康状况的了解。此外，在新冠疫情期间，患者可能会自我隔离以避免感染或从新冠感染中康复，这会导致社会隔离或癌症治疗延误。医疗服务提供者可以进一步拨打关怀电话并提供治疗信息，以增加患者的社会支持并减轻他们的心理困扰。
