Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2021, 11, 1386-1396 https://www.scirp.org/journal/ojog ISSN Online: 2160-8806 ISSN Print: 2160-8792 DOI: 10.4236/ojog.2021.1110129 Oct. 27, 2021 1386 Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Experiences with the Use of Vaginal Dilator by Cervical Cancer Women Who Received Pelvic Radiotherapy at Cancer Diseases Hospital, Lusaka Zambia Alex Mwale 1* , Patricia Katowa-Mukwato 2 , Victoria Mwiinga Kalusopa 2 , Phadaless Phiri-Sinkamba 2 , Susan Mutemwa 2 1 Cancer Diseases Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia 2 School of Nursing Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia 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 pre- vented by regular sexual intercourse or use of vaginal dilators as recommended by cancer organizations. Despite the well-established benefits of vaginal dila- tors, 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 dila- tors by cervical cancer women who received Pelvic Radiotherapy. Metho- dology: A descriptive phenomenological design was used to explore expe- riences with the use of vaginal dilators by cervical cancer women. The study was conducted at Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka District of Zambia. Par- ticipants were identified and purposefully sampled during the follow up clin- ics, 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, embar- rassment and fear. Conclusion: It was acknowledged that the use of vaginal dilator was associated with negative experiences such as uncomfortable dila- tors, pity for the husband, changed lifestyle, fear and embarrassment. There- How to cite this paper: Mwale, A., Kato- wa-Mukwato, P., Kalusopa, V.M., Phiri-Sin- kamba, P. and Mutemwa, S. (2021) Expe- riences with the Use of Vaginal Dilator by Cervical Cancer Women Who Received Pel- vic Radiotherapy at Cancer Diseases Hos- pital, Lusaka Zambia. Open Journal of Ob- stetrics and Gynecology, 11, 1386-1396. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojog.2021.1110129 Received: August 19, 2021 Accepted: October 24, 2021 Published: October 27, 2021 Copyright © 2021 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access