Evaluation of sexual function in patients with gynecologic cancer and evidence-based nursing interventions

Sexual health is the integrity of somatic, intellectual, mental, emotional and social aspects of any individual. The cancer causes higher rates of sexuality related problems than other chronic diseases. Both the cancer diagnosis and the methods of treatment such as organ excision, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, the usage of hormones and cytostatic negatively affect the women's sexuality. Some models are used for diagnosing sexual dysfunction. These models are ALARM model, Kaplan model, Triphasic model, PLISSIT model, IMB model and BETTER model. It is important to evaluate the cancer patient's sexual function and utilize evidence-based nursing intervention. The aim of present review is to examine the models which were used to determine the effect of gynaecologic cancers on sexual life. Moreover, it is aimed to evaluate the evidence-based nursing interventions to identify problems. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010.