The impact of gynecological cancers on women’s marital satisfaction, spousal support, and quality of life: a cross-sectional comparative study

This study aimed to determine the impact of gynecological cancers on women’s marital satisfaction, spousal support, and quality of life. The research was conducted as a comparative descriptive and cross-sectional study with a total of 202 women, consisting of 100 with gynecological cancer and 102 without. The data were obtained through face-to-face interview techniques using a personal information form created by the researcher, the Marital Satisfaction Scale, the Spousal Support Scale, and the Quality of Life Scale (Short Form Health Survey- SF 36). The average age of women with gynecological cancer was 50.76 ± 8.75 years, the duration since diagnosis was 27.6 months, 42% had endometrial cancer, and 48% were at stage I. Quality of life scores measured with SF-36 were significantly lower in women with gynecologic cancer in all subscales except mental health (p values ​​ranged from 0.001 to 0.050). Spouse support scale in the appraisal support sub-dimension scores were also significantly lower in women with cancer (p = 0.047). However, no significant difference was found between women with and without gynecologic cancer in terms of marital satisfaction scale total score (p = 0.455) and spousal support scale total score (p = 0.118). While quality of life and perceived spousal support decreased in women with gynecological cancer, no significant difference was observed in total marital satisfaction scores. It is anticipated that the traumatic effects caused by gynecological cancer in women will decrease with the care and biopsychosocial support of health professionals.