Perspectiva de futuro em mulheres acometidas pelo câncer de mama

Abstract

The present Master thesis sought to analyze the future perspectives in women affected by breast cancer during treatment. This issue was investigated in two steps: the first study was a review of the literature in the period of 1990 to 2014, which contemplated a collection of international studies about the life expectancy and future perspective in a patient with cancer. Then it was developed an empirical study about the emotional experiences and future perspective on women affected by breast cancer. In this second step was performed a qualitative content analysis, using the Nvivo 10 software, of semistructured interviews of nine patients, aged between 39 and 64 years, undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Information obtained through sociodemographic data sheet, as well as level and staging of the disease, were used to compose the analysis. Research has shown first, with the aid of the bibliographic survey, the need for further exploration of studies in the field of clinical psychology about the prospect of future in chronic diseases, in particular cancer, under the optics of the adult patient. The results point out that issues related to the future planning, emotional aspects suitable for coping with the disease, as well as autonomy in making decisions about treatment, are strongly linked to the approach and to the management of the doctor and other health professionals at diagnosis and during treatment. In relation to the empirical study, it was observed that even with the remarkable scientific inclination through investigations about the importance of qualified professional management, the practical question of the relationship between patients and health team still has considerable flaws. However, it is considered that this thesis can bring important contributions about look at the emotional aspects of oncological patients in relation to the possibilities of hope beyond the disease, emphasizing the importance of family support, psychological and training of health professionals in relation to the proper management of information given.