LA DIMENSIONE SESSUO-AFFETTIVA DEL PAZIENTE ONCOLOGICO ANZIANO
S. Roccaro, D. Respini, J. Sabatelli, F. Cappuccio, P. Tralongo
Vol.3 (2018), issue 2, pag. 41-45
| Received | 24/06/2018 |
| Accepted after revision | 29/06/2018 |
| Published | June 2018 |
| Review by | Single-blind |
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Intimacy, understood as a sexual-affective dimension, is an essential component of the existence of every individual, even in senile age.
Rational
The sexual-affective dimension of the elderly has so far been little explored and just as little is known about the sexual habits of this population. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether the elderly patient with oncological disease experiences difficulties or satisfaction with their intimacy and expresses the need to receive information and support on the sexual-affective dimension.
Materials and methods
Observational, transversal, monocentric and monophasic studies. Inter-
viewed 123 patients men and women, adults, elderly and older old, suffering from oncological diseases with different tumors and in different stages of disease. The sample group was shared into two subgroups: 61 patients aged>70 years (49.6%), and 62 patients aged <70 years (50.4%). Administered the IOQ and a Questionnaire on Intimacy.
Results
123 respondents, 50.5% men and 49.5% women with an average age of
66.35 (range 38-87), 74.5% married. 49.5% say they are satisfied with their intimacy; 47% attribute the change in sexual behavior to therapy; 23.5% were informed by the doctor about possible problems concerning the sexual sphere; 27.5% would have preferred to receive more information. 20.5% of participants do not have information about their sexuality ..
Conclusion
The study shows that cancer disease has, also, an important impact on the sexual-affective dimension even in elderly cancer patients, and emerges a high resistance to asking for information on the sequelae of treatments and possible pharmacological and psychological therapies to be adopted.