Women's experiences following treatment for gynecologic cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe women's experiences after treatment for gynecologic cancer in relation to psychosocial and physical difficulties and perceptions of the helpfulness of healthcare professionals.

DESIGN

Descriptive, retrospective, mailed survey.

SETTING

Women previously treated for gynecologic cancer at a large urban hospital in Queensland, Australia.

SAMPLE

Eighty-two women of all ages completed the survey. Diagnoses included cervical (45%), uterine (30%), ovarian (20%), and vulvar (4%) cancer.

METHODS

A self-report questionnaire and elicited demographic/medical data and qualitative data about women's experiences. Researchers also explored subjects' perceptions of the helpfulness of nurses, doctors, and social workers.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Psychosocial and physical difficulties; informational, emotional, and practical support; personal coping strategies.

FINDINGS

Women described a range of psychosocial difficulties including depression, anxiety, and fear of dying. Physical side effects included fatigue, pain, bladder dysfunction, and vaginal problems. Women most often described emotional support from family members as assisting them to cope with difficulties. The most commonly described personal coping strategy was the use of positive thinking. Descriptions of how healthcare professionals were helpful reflected their roles within the healthcare system.

CONCLUSIONS

Women's existing social supports may be most important in determining how they cope with gynecologic cancer. Patients may evaluate the assistance provided by healthcare professionals in relation to professional roles.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses are uniquely positioned to provide informational support to patients. However, patients' immediate difficulties and their perceptions of the nurse's role as helper may interfere with this process.