Dados do Trabalho

Título

EVALUATION OF ERECTILE FUNCTION AND SELF-ESTEEM IN PATIENTS TREATED FOR PROSTATE CANCER AT A REFERENCE CENTER IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON: A CLINICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Resumo

Introduction: Prostate cancer has gained attention due to its high incidence in the male population and because the disease have a repercussion on men's image, embracing cultural, symbolic, social, and economic aspects present in the masculine identity context. The major complications of radical prostatectomy are related to the development of urethral stenosis, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. Erectile failure can anticipate and increase anxiety and psychological issues involving loss of masculinity, low self-esteem, and suffering, which affect physical and emotional well-being, compromising quality of life. Objective:This study aimed to assess impotence and its effects on quality of life in male prostate cancer survivors in the northern region of Brazil. Methods: An exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative approach was conducted with 60 patients in oncological follow-up who were treated for prostate cancer. A socio-epidemiological questionnaire was used for data collection. The participants then answered two surveys, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RAS). The research project was ethically assessed by the Research Ethics Committee. Initially, the results were tabulated in a dichotomous rash table and the data was described using absolute and percentage frequencies. Results: It was evident that 38% of the patients were unable to achieve an erection during sexual activity and of those who did, 7% were only able to achieve penetration during the sexual act and 10% were able to maintain an erection until the end of the sexual act. Due to insecurity over this unsatisfactory performance, sexual intercourse had decreased to 1-2 times for 62% of those interviewed. An average of 36.5% reported that sexual intercourse was neither satisfactory nor pleasant for them and 34.5% of patients were unable to experience orgasm. 62% of patients have a low confidence level in maintaining an erection, which explains why 40% are not satisfied with their life in general and 66% are not satisfied with their sexual relationship with their partner. Conclusions: Around 54% of patients had severe erectile dysfunction and 24% had moderate dysfunction, and these patients were the most affected in terms of self-esteem. Therefore prostate cancer affects men's sex lives as well as their self-esteem, compromising their quality of life.

Palavras Chave

PROSTATE CANCER; SELF-ESTEEM; ERECTILE FUNCTION