Effect of Chemotherapy on Quality Of Life among Menopausal Women with Gynecological Cancer

Abstract

Menopausal women with gynecological cancer undergoing chemotherapy may face vigorous health problems that may had negative impacts on their quality of life. The present study aimed to assess effect of chemotherapy on quality of life among menopausal women with gynecological cancer.An Descriptive study design was conducted at Ain shams university maternity hospital (at gynecological oncology unite) & radiation oncology &nuclear medicine center of Ain shams university (at gynecological outpatient &inpatient department).Purposive sample100 women was included in the study. Data were collected through two types of tools (structured interviewing questionnaire sheet andthe modified function assessment of cancer therapy scale (FACT). The results of the study revealed that the majority of women complain from menopausal symptoms e.g. fatigue, headache, osteoporosis, sleep disturbance, night sweating and hot flushes and the majority of them havethe ability to deal with these symptoms. The most common side effects of chemotherapy among studied sample are alopecia, loss of appetite, fatigue, constipation and nausea, vomiting.The study concluded that chemotherapy have an effect on total quality of life withdifferent domains; physical, social and psychological health with average degree for all menopausal women suffered from gynecological cancer The study recommended that Awareness program must be conducted at gynecological clinic to improve women awareness regardingdealing with menopausal symptoms.

_____________________ Key word: Chemotherapy, Quality Of Life, Menopause, Gynecological Cancer.