Sexual Health Challenges, Psychiatric Morbidity and Quality of Life Among Women Treated for Cervical Cancer in a Tertiary Care Setting – A Cross Sectional Study

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in India, with recent data indicating it accounts for 17% of female cancer deaths (International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC, 2023). Despite a 5-year survival rate of 80% for early-stage (0–IB) disease, long-term survivors frequently experience untreated psychiatric morbidity and sexual health impairments, which detrimentally affect quality of life (QoL). This hospital-based cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of depression, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, and QoL impairments among cervical cancer survivors and explored associations with sociodemographic and treatment-related factors. A convenience sample of 120 women receiving follow-up care at a tertiary care hospital radiotherapy center in India (July 2022–July 2023) was assessed using: DSM-5 criteria for psychiatric diagnosis, Hamilton Anxiety (HAM-A) and Depression (HAM-D) Scales, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and · EORTC QLQ-C30 for QoL. Key findings: 54% met criteria for clinically significant depression, 33% for anxiety, and 3% screened positive for psychotic symptoms. 100% reported sexual dysfunction, with severe deficits in arousal (72%), desire (65%), and satisfaction (58%). Advancedstage disease (Stage IIB–IV), prolonged illness duration (>2 years), and radiation therapy were significantly correlated with poorer QoL(*p* < .01, multivariate regression). Depression and anxiety were linked to worse emotional and social functioning (*r* = −0.42, *p* < .001). The findings highlight the critical need for integrated mental health and sexual rehabilitation services in cervical cancer survivorship care. Routine screening for depression and anxiety, alongside patient-centered interventions, could mitigate long-term morbidity.