Conhecimento e práticas de autocuidado para detecção precoce do câncer de mama entre mulheres com fator de risco familiar.

Abstract

Breast cancer is considered the second most frequent type in the world population, and the main cause of cancer death in women. The disease has become an epidemic, both in developed and developing countries, reflecting a number of factors and lifestyle habits of contemporary society that, combined with genetics, are contributing to the rising incidence of cancer worldwide. It is estimated that approximately 10% to 15% of all malignant breast tumors correspond to hereditary breast cancer. Thus, family history of cancer in first-degree relatives becomes an indicator of hereditary breast cancer risk. Thus, the objective of the study was to investigate the knowledge and self-care practices of female relatives of women diagnosed with breast cancer. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, field study with a qualitative approach. The population of the present study was composed of first-degree female relatives of women who were already diagnosed with breast cancer who are part of the support group "Friends of the Chest", in the city of Cajazeiras-PB. The data collection was performed through a semistructured interview and the data collected were systematized and analyzed through IRAMUTEQ software. The research was approved with opinion no. 2,963,041 and all the participants signed the Term of Free and Informed Consent, being assured their ethical rights. The survey had the participation of eleven female relatives who were in the age group between 22 to 66 years old. Through a lexical analysis, using the dendogram methods and analysis of similitude generated in the software it was possible to identify the words that stood out most in the interviews and to discuss their respective results. From the analyzes of this research, it was evidenced that the knowledge by the majority of the women who possess a hereditary factor, are insufficient. Considering that the lexicographic analyzes of the textual corpus demonstrated denial in all categories, mainly about the perception of risk factors and self-care practices that are not adopted by them. Thus, it is suggested that health services promote strategies aimed at the screening of the population at risk to be included in strategies for early detection and health education, in order to promote the reduction of the incidence of breast cancer. Considering that knowledge is an important tool for prevention and health promotion, in addition to favoring a good prognosis and a better quality of life for women