PERSONALITY-DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ENDOMETRIAL AND CERVICAL-CANCER PATIENTS IN RELATION TO SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR

Possible differences in personality were Investigated in a sample of e ndometrial (n = 30) and cervical (n = 30) cancer patients and related to sexual behavior The assessments were based on the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP) and semistructured interviews. The endometrial g roup reported both a higher age at sexual debut and a lower number of sexual partners whereas the corresponding figures for the cervical gro up were within the range of representative data from the general popul ation. Strikingly, numerous significant correlations between personali ty characteristics and behavioral aspects appeared in the cervical gro up. In a discriminant analysis between the two cancer groups, verbal a ggression, number of sexual partners, irritability, use of alcohol, ag e at sexual debut, impulsivity and social desirability appeared to be the most powerful variables. In view of the similarity of cervical can cer women in terms of personality and sexual behavior to normative dat a the elaboration of adequate and large-scale preventive measures aime d at young age groups is warranted.