Cervical cancer and quality of life: an integrative review

Abstract

To analyze the publications regarding the quality of life of women with cervical cancer. This is an integrative review performed in the indexed LILACS, MEDLINE and SCIELO databases. The descriptors “Quality of Life” AND “Cervical Neoplasms”, “Quality of Life” AND “Woman's Health” and “Woman's Health” AND “Cervical Neoplasms” were used, in which articles published in the period from 2010-2018 that met the inclusion criteria were selected. The research resulted in three articles in Lilacs, three in Medline, and five in Scielo,  totaling 11 articles. The research used three questionnaires, such as EORTC QLQ-C30, WHOQOL-bref, and FACT-Cx. These instruments are the most widely used today to measure the quality of life and health conditions in broad aspects. It was observed that cervical cancer positively affects women's quality of life in social and emotional aspects.  Quality of life, although with a positive evaluation, should encourage the formulation of public health policies aimed at improving this target audience's quality of life. The discovery of the disease brings several fears, including the thought of death. In addition, it has a physical and psychological impact on these women's lives.