The pathways of care for women diagnosed with breast cancer ; Los caminos del cuidado de las mujeres con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama ; Os caminhos de cuidado das mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer de mama

Objective: To describe the pathways of care experienced by women with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy. Methodology: It is a descriptive, exploratory and qualitative study, conducted among women in the Radiotherapy Clinic of a Federal University in the South of Brazil. The participants were six women affected by breast cancer who were receiving radiotherapy. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from March 2006 to December 2007. Results:The data were analyzed according to the operationalization of thematic analysis, emerging two categories: The plots of the pathways of care, and Overcoming the cancer diagnosis. Conclusions: It was perceived that pathways experienced by women affected by breast cancer involve both barriers and facilitators regarding access to health services, their relationship with professionals, and their ability to overcome. It is also considered important to have knowledge about the diagnosis of the disease in order to be an active person in this process. It is important to have well prepared health professionals and services, in order to accept women in ill situations, since support and guidance are essential to their recovery. ; Objetivo: Describir los caminos del cuidado recorridos por mujeres con cáncer de mama en tratamiento radioterápico. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y exploratorio de carácter cualitativo, realizado en mujeres atendidas en el Ambulatorio de Radioterapia de una Universidad Federal del Sur de Brasil. Participaron seis mujeres afectadas por cáncer de mama en tratamiento radioterápico. Los datos fueron recolectados desde marzo de 2006 hasta diciembre de 2007 por medio de una entrevista semiestructurada. Resultados: Los datos fueron analizados de acuerdo con la funcionalidad del análisis temá­ tico, a partir del cual emergieron dos núcleos: Las dificultades de los caminos del cuidado y La superación frente al diagnóstico. Conclusiones: Se percibió que los caminos que recorre la mujer sometida por el cáncer de mama involucran tanto ...