The Effect of Gender and Body Image Satisfaction on Sexual Function in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy/Chemoradiotherapy

Aims: The study was was conducted to determine the changes in sexual functions and the effect of gender and body image satisfaction on sexual function in patients with head and neck cancer who received radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy after starting treatment. Methods: Forty three patients who underwent radiotherapy, radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) due to the diagnosis of head and neck cancer between October 2019 and March 2020 were included in the descriptive and correlational study. Research data were collected using the Structured Information Form, Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale and Body Image Satisfaction Scale at two different times, before and 6 weeks after the start of treatment. Results: Most of the patients participating in the study were male (55.8%) and married (74.4%). In the study, 69.8% of the patients had disease stages 1 and 2, and 65.1% of the patients had cancer in the pharynx and larynx. It was determined that 72.1% of the patients did not have a sexual problem before the diagnosis, and 90.7% of them had sexual problems after the diagnosis. There was a significant difference between the mean Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale scores of the patients before and after 6 weeks of RT/CRT (p<0.01); gender and Body Image Satisfaction Scale score significantly affected Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale score (R2=0.656, p<0.01). Conclusion: The treatment process in patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer undergoing RT/CRT causes sexual problems and worsening in sexual functions. Gender and body image satisfaction affect sexual function by 66%.