Mulheres acometidas pelo câncer : como experienciam essa nova realidade.

Abstract

Cancer is a disease that carries the stigma of death. Obviously, the meaning of cancer is different for each individual, but the negative social representations, and the impact that the disease triggers on the subjectivity of the patient, may affect their feelings, their emotions and the expression of their behaviors. Objective: to know the feelings experienced by women after the discovery of cancer and how they face this new reality after having their bodies transformed due to the forms of treatment. Method: qualitative study that allows the deepening in the more subjective aspects of the participant patient. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women on cancer treatment. Results: four categories emerged: a) Women and the diagnosis of cancer: what is their perception of the disease; b) Feeling of new values and re-encounter with faith; c) The importance of family and friends; d) Female identity and self-esteem. Conclusion: the women interviewed were feelings of sadness, isolation, resilience and resignification towards life. All participants had changes in the body because of the disease, negatively interferes with femininity. Besides the prejudice they faced, they suffered with the abandonment of friends and family. It is noticeable the need for research that seeks to understand how the disease is confronted in the female universe.