TITLE:
Experiences with the Use of Vaginal Dilator by Cervical Cancer Women Who Received Pelvic Radiotherapy at Cancer Diseases Hospital, Lusaka Zambia
AUTHORS:
Alex Mwale, Patricia Katowa-Mukwato, Victoria Mwiinga Kalusopa, Phadaless Phiri-Sinkamba, Susan Mutemwa
KEYWORDS:
Cervical Cancer, Radiotherapy, Experiences, Vaginal Dilators, Vaginal Stenosis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.11 No.10,
October
27,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: Cancer of the cervix is the commonest cancer in
women seen at Cancer Diseases Hospital in
Zambia and Pelvic Radiotherapy is the main treatment modality used on cervical
cancer patients. Radiotherapy to the pelvis has a potential to causes
vaginal stenosis but the stenosis can be prevented
by regular sexual intercourse or use of vaginal dilators as recommended
by cancer organizations. Despite the well-established benefits of vaginal
dilators, there was reluctance by women to adopt this practice as seen by the
number of survivors with vaginal stenosis at Cancer Diseases Hospital. The
objective of this study was to explore experiences with the use of vaginal
dilators by cervical cancer women who received Pelvic Radiotherapy. Methodology: A descriptive phenomenological design was used to explore experiences with the
use of vaginal dilators by cervical cancer women. The study was conducted at
Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka District of Zambia. Participants were
identified and purposefully sampled during the follow up clinics, they were
then followed for interviews into their homes in Lusaka and data saturation was
attained after interviewing 22 participants. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Five themes from the study emerged on how women with
cervical cancer experienced the use of vaginal dilator; such as uncomfortable dilators, pity for the husband, changed lifestyle,
embarrassment and fear. Conclusion: It was acknowledged that the
use of vaginal dilator was associated with negative experiences such as
uncomfortable dilators, pity for the husband,
changed lifestyle, fear and embarrassment. Therefore, this study recommends
that Health care providers from CDH and other health institutions should give
appropriate information to patients concerning the use of vaginal dilators and the Ministry of Health to provide vaginal dilators instead of 50 milliliter syringes currently in use.