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ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 12 > Iss. 2 (2024)

 

Credentials Display

Wynnet Sinclair, OTD, OTR/L; Christine McConnell, DC, OTD, OTR/L; Emily Clark, Katie McEntire, Caty Miller, Lyndsi Pound, and Rose Wuertz

Abstract

Background: In the United States, it was predicted that approximately 13,960 new cases of invasive cervical cancer would be diagnosed in 2023 (American Cancer Society, 2023). The research question focused on identifying changes in occupational performance for patients with cervical cancer. The areas of occupational performance considered were activities of daily living, leisure, work, education, social participation, and mental health.

Methods: The respondents completed a cross-sectional, mixed methods Qualtrics survey. Likert scale questions captured the degree of functional impact of cervical cancer on the predetermined areas of occupational performance.

Results: Twenty-seven subjects (ages 18 to 70) fully participated in the survey. The most widely affected categories were psychosocial factors, such as mental health (100%), self-image (96.30%), body image (92.00%), self-confidence (74.07%), and energy levels (96.03%). However, all occupations from the categories of activities of daily living, rest and sleep, leisure, work, education, and social participation were reported to be impacted by cervical cancer.

Conclusion: Cervical cancer can have a significant impact on many areas of occupational performance. Health professionals should be aware of the potential decrease in occupational performance for those who are experiencing or who have experienced cervical cancer treatment.

Comments

The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.

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