Sexuality is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon
that incorporates biological, psychological, and behavioral
parts[
1]. Biologic dimensions include the reproductive organs
and physical appearance; psychological dimensions
include body image, self-esteem, and self-concept; and
social aspects include gender roles, cultural expectations,
and stereotypes[
2]. Emotional satisfaction, reproduction,
physical attractiveness to others, and formation of relationships
are all aspects of sexuality[
3]. Sexuality includes
feelings about one’s body, the need for touch, interest in
sexual activity, communication of one’s sexual needs to a
partner, and the ability to engage in satisfying sexual activities[
4]. All cancers can impact sexuality and intimacy
but having cancer does not eliminate sexual feelings[
5].
In recent years, as cancer treatments improve and patients
with cancer don’t only live longer but also live with
enhanced quality of life, issues related to sexual function
have increased[6]. Cancer treatments often cause sexual
dysfunctions that remain very long duration after therapy.
Cancer therapy, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
therapy, and bone marrow transplantation may have
physiological and psychological impact on sexual function[1,7,8]. Literature shows that 50% of women with
breast or gynecologic cancers and 70% of men undergoing
treatment of prostate cancer report some level of sexual
dysfunction[6,9,10]. Cancer and its therapies affect the physical, psychological, and social ability of the patient
to maintain sexual health. The most common changes associated
with sexuality are erectile dysfunction, loss of
desire for sexual activity, the inability to reach orgasm,
vaginal dryness and stenosis, which contributes to dyspareunia,
changes in genital sensations due to pain or a loss
of sensation and numbness, premature menopause, loss of
body hair, increased fatigue, weight gain or loss, amenorrhea,
surgical removal of limbs, breast, testicle, vulva,
penis and body image problems, fears and anxieties, depression,
loss of self-esteem, family role, social role, relationships
and health and risk of infertility[7,11,12].
Because sexual function is one important aspect of
quality of life, it is important for health care providers
to find out if a patient is experiencing sexual problems.
While sexuality is an important aspect of human health
and quality of life, a research indicated that nurses ignore
it for a variety of reasons[13]. Nurses do not routinely
inquire about sexual practices and do not provide teaching
or counseling in this area. Nurses have the knowledge
and can acquire the skills to deal with sexual issues and
becoming aware of their own sexual attitudes can affect
their clinical practice. It is important for oncology nurses
to know that the patient’s sexual dysfunction can be a significant
source of emotional morbidity. Without a sexual
assessment, the nurse has no idea if the oncology patients
have sexual dysfunction. An open dialogue on sexuality
must begin soon after the cancer diagnosis is made and
after treatment is planned, and must continue through the
cancer trajectory well into the survival phase[7,14]. In
spite of suggestions and advice found in the literature, research
findings continue to demonstrate that nurses rarely
address sexual issues, provide little teaching and sexual
counseling[5,15-17].
The sexual concerns of patients have often been neglected
in health care. Unfortunately, sexuality still is not
openly discussed in many cultures, including Turkish society.
As a result, clients often hesitate to raise questions or
concerns about sexual issues with their health care providers[18]. Little is known about nurses’ approach to sexuality-
related issues in patients with cancer in Turkey. This
study aims to determine the approaches and status of the
nurses caring for cancer patients regarding their sexuality.
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