Introduction: Sexuality is a universal experience and one of the most important aspects of human life. Vulvar cancer is a rare form of gynecological cancer that affects mostly women in their late fertile period and older women. And can affects physical, psychological and social aspect of patient's life. Nurse plays an important role in taking care of patients with vulvar cancer. Purpose: The purpose of this diploma thesis is to study the connection between vulvar cancer and physical aspect of sexuality, psychosocial aspect of relationships with spouse, affects on self-esteem and confidence and opportunities and obstacles in addressing the sexual health of women with vulvar cancer in terms of nursing care.
Methods: We used descriptive method of work with systematic review of literature. We searched for literature from February 2016 until January 2017. We searched for literature in English and Slovene language, with keywords: sexual function AND vulval cance, change in sexual function AND vulvectomy, gynecological cancer AND nursing care, gynecological cancer AND sexual function, sexual health AND vulvar cancer, vulvar cancer, vulvar cancer AND quality of life in databases: CINAHL, Medline (PubMed), ScienceDirect and COBIB.SI. We analised 20 articles. The articles were evaluated on a four-level scale based on the power of evidence.
Results: Sexual function in patients with vulvar cancer changes after treatment. They may encounter problems such as changed external genitalia, pain, feeling of numbness, which consequently affect partner relationships and self-esteem and confidence of women. The nurse plays an important role in dealing with patients and providing support. Although nurses accept sexual health as their responsibility, they discuss the subject with patients very rarely.
Discussion and conclusion: The physical aspect of sexuality, the psychosocial aspect of the relationship with the partner, and the aspect of self-esteem and confidence are strongly linked to one another. After a surgery, women experience a major change, which they need to get used to, which can lead to changes in relationship with partner, which are mainly related to sexuality, and the self-esteem and confidence of women. Health care is an important part of the multidisciplinary approach in dealing with patients and their partners. There is still not enough talk about sexual problems. During the course of education, we should emphasize the importance of sexual health and promote the use of knowledge in practice, because only in this way can we ensure comprehensive and high-quality health care
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