ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S2986

Interdiscplinary - Other

ESTRO 2024

Objective To investigate the effect of a cancer diagnosis on marital life and identify factors associated with divorce.

Material/Methods:

A prospective study was conducted from July to October 2023 at the Jendouba Radiotherapy and Medical Carcinology Center. We enrolled 100 patients undergoing or having completed radiotherapy/chemotherapy. Married patients, irrespective of age, gender, illness stage, or treatment received, were given a questionnaire. 90 patients responded.

Results:

The median age of the respondents was 50 years [25-70], with 70% being women. Breast cancer constituted 68% of cases, lung cancer 20%, and 10% of the patients had metastatic cancer. Sixty-nine per cent of the respondents were under treatment. Among these respondents, 70% had children, 66% had a university degree, 76% were employed, 59% were financially stable, and 61% hailed from urban areas. Before their diagnosis, 88% reported satisfactory sexual relationships, but post-diagnosis, 39% reported no sexual activity. Three per cent faced physical assault, and 27% were intimidated due to their illness. Notably, all the patients who experienced this violence were women. Additionally, 60% experienced a decreased sexual desire towards their partners, and 37% indicated their partners declined intimate relations. Fifteen per cent shared that their partners believed cancer was sexually transmissible, and 77% expressed a need for psychological support. Remarkably, 18% of couples divorced due to the disease, and 65% lived apart. Factors associated with divorce included age below 40 (p=0.048), residing in rural areas (p=0.0001), and having a lower education level (p=0.02).

Conclusion:

Cancer and its treatment have a pronounced negative impact on sexual function and satisfaction. This impact can be mitigated by understanding pre-diagnosis sexual functioning, seeking counseling, making informed treatment decisions, and opting for post-treatment therapy

Keywords: cancer diagnosis, married life, relationships.

3195

Digital Poster

Impact of cancer diagnosis on working life

Ayadi M Hadhemi, Ben Hssine Samia, Frikha Sami, Jaffel Hager, Abid Wiem, Mahjoub Najet

Radiotherapy and Medical Oncology Centre, Radiotherapy, Jendouba, Tunisia

Purpose/Objective:

Introduction