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Abstract
Psycho-social factors impacting on the overall quality of life for cancer patients may differ between men and women. This study examined the influence that psychological distress and clinical and social variables have on sexual activity and body image in adult oncology patients. Symptom data were collected from the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS). Analysis indicated women and patients with reported functional limitations were more likely to be less satisfied with how they looked. The final model showed that younger adults, Caucasians, those who were married, and patients with some functional limitations were more likely to have problems with sexual interest/activity. Gender was not a significant predictor of having problems with sexual interest/activity. These results can be used by clinicians to identify patients who may be at an increased risk for negative body image and problems in sexual functioning. Further research regarding gender differences in cancer-related psychological symptoms is needed to assist health care professionals in providing comprehensive care while alleviating unresolved and interrelated health and psycho-social symptoms.
Acknowledgements
The authors are very grateful to all the participants who completed the survey in the master study and the clinical staff who supported this research and assisted with participant recruitment.
Notes
1. Cronbach α coefficients of 0.73 and 0.69, respectively.
2. Cronbach α coefficient of 0.72.
3. Type I error occurs when a true null hypothesis was incorrectly rejected. P refers to the P value. The P value represents the probability of concluding (incorrectly) that there is a difference in the sample when no true difference exists (Field Citation2009). A P value of ≤ 0.05 means that there is only 5% chance that the result is occurring by chance, a standard criterion in social sciences research.
4. There is a 31% chance that the result is occurring by chance. This falls above the P ≤ 0.05 criterion, meaning there is no significant difference in mean age between men and women.
5. There is a 90% chance that the result is occurring by chance. This falls above the P ≤ 0.05 criterion, meaning there is no significant difference in educational level between men and women.
6. There is a 7% chance that the result is occurring by chance. This falls above the P ≤ 0.05 criterion, meaning there is no significant difference in marital status between men and women.
7. There is a 5% chance that the result is occurring by chance. This falls within the P ≤ 0.05 criterion, meaning there is a significant difference in living situations between men and women.
8. There is a 62% chance that the result is occurring by chance. This falls above the P ≤ 0.05 criterion, meaning there is no significant difference in residence between men and women.
9. Stage IV describes invasive cancer that has spread to other organs in the body. It is also referred to as ‘advanced’ or ‘metastatic’ cancer (National Cancer Society Citation2012).
10. There is a 12% chance that the result is occurring by chance. This falls above the P ≤ 0.05 criterion, meaning there is no significant difference in disease state between men and women.
11. There is an 11% chance that the result is occurring by chance. This falls above the P ≤ 0.05 criterion meaning there is no significant difference in pain between men and women.
12. There is a 27% chance that the result is occurring by chance. This falls above the P ≤ 0.05 criterion, meaning there is no significant difference in cause of pain between men and women.
13. There is a 31% chance that the result is occurring by chance. This falls above the P ≤ 0.05 criterion, meaning there is no significant difference in physical limitations between men and women.
14. There is a 0.1%–1% chance that the results are occurring by chance. These fall below the P ≤ 0.05 criterion meaning there are significant differences in difficulty concentrating, feeling nervous, feeling sad, and worry between men and women.
15. There is a 2% chance that the result is occurring by chance. This falls below the P ≤ 0.05 criterion, meaning there is a significant gender difference in body image.
16. 2.76 ± 1.15 versus 2.44 ± 1.16, P = 0.67; men and women, respectively.
17. 2.37 ± 1.24 versus 1.81 ± 1.61, P = 0.003; women and men, respectively.
18. Odds ratio (OR) = 1.99, 95% CI 1.13–3.50; P = 0.01. Odds ratio is the ratio of the odds of an event occurring in one group to the odds of it occurring in another group (Field Citation2009).
19. OR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.14–2.89; P = 0.02.
20. OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.98; P = 0.01.
21. OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.24–0.99; P = 0.02.
22. OR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.10–4.30; P = 0.04.
23. OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.19–3.18; P = 0.05.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Jessica L. Krok
Jessica Krok is a post-doctoral fellow in the Center for Population Health and Health Disparities at Ohio State University. Dr. Krok's research agenda focuses on cancer health disparities and cancer symptom management.
Tamara A. Baker
Tamara Baker is an Associate Professor in the School of Aging Studies at the University of South Florida. Dr Baker's research agenda focuses on the behavioral and psycho-social predictors and outcomes of chronic pain and disease in older adults from diverse racial and ethnic populations.
Susan C. McMillan
Susan McMillan is a Distinguished Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida. Dr McMillan's research agenda focuses pain in cancer patients and quality of life at the end of life.