Diagnosing the changes in the sexual lives of cancer patients in Düzce district and their needs for information

viABSTRACTDIAGNOSING THE CHANGES IN THE SEXUAL LIVES OF CANCERPATIENTS IN DÜZCE DISTRICT AND THEIR NEEDS FORINFORMATIONAçıkgöz FerhanMaster Programme, Department of NursingAdvisor of the Thesis: Asst. Prof. Fatma YILMAZ AKINCIFebruary 2007, 82 pagesThis descriptive research has been done with the aim of diagnosing the changes inthe sexual lives of cancer patients resided in Düzce District, and determining theinformation they are in need. The sample of this study consists 40 patients- 16 F, 24M- , all of whom have been monitored and treated at A BÜ, Düzce Faculty ofMedicine. Patient Information Form, developed by the researcher, has been used tocollect data with the method of interviewing between the periods 15/02/2006-15/07/2006. Data analysis has been conducted by the methods of avarage, percentile,and Fischer?s ki-square. The conclusion of the study indicates that; the majority ofthe patients suffered from genito-urinary cancer, stage III-IV; 85.0 % had reduceddesire for sex; 84.2% had reduced sexual satisfaction; 81.6% had less sexualintercourse; 52% had reduced sexual attraction; and 37.5% ended their sexual life.Patients over 50 are determined to have less desire to have sexual intercourse, andhave less sexual intercourse at stage III-IV; think sexual satisfaction is not asimportant as it was before they became ill. The difference between the groups wasfound to be statistically meaningful (p<0.05). The following are determined to havethe most negative effects on sexual life: Genit-urinery system cancer, breast cancer,lung cancer, hormonal treatment, radiotherapy, chemotherapy; and nauosia,vomitting, losing hair, fatigue as secondary sympthoms. It is found out that 85.0 % ofthe patients haven?t been informed on sexual life; they require information aboutevery subject; they prefer obtaining information from nurses and doctors.Suggestions have been made in the light of the above results.Key Words: Sexuality, counseling, nurse, cancer.