EXPERIENCES OF THE MALE PARTNER IN CERVICAL AND ENDOMETRIAL CANCER - A PROSPECTIVE INTERVIEW STUDY

This article focuses on social, psychological and sexual experiences o f 47 men before their partner was treated for cervical or endometrial cancer and 1 year later As a complement to the interviews the men comp leted a symptom check-list. Before initiation of treatment, a great ma jority of the men were in psychological crisis. The number of psycholo gical symptoms decreased from the first to the last interview. Symptom s with psychosomatic character increased, however, considerably In the endometrial group, several had intrapsychic problems, while interpers onal problems were more common in the cervical group. Both groups foun d it difficult to know how to behave and how to communicate with their partner,friends and acquaintances. A majority had nobody to whom they could speak honestly, and most did not obtain basic information about their partner's disease. The experiences of intercourse were much mor e negative after completed treatment and a majority described impaired sexual desire. Provided that the woman herself desires it, the coping and rehabilitation of the woman, the man and the couple would improve if the male were integrated in the care program from the moment the d iagnosis of cancer is made.