Exame Papanicolau: conhecimento de usuárias de uma unidade básica de saúde da família na cidade de Cajazeiras - PB.

Abstract

Cervical cancer is characterized by uncontrolled replication of the epithelial coating of the cervix. This pathological process is the second most common neoplasia among women in Brazil, and also, it has a high mortality rate, however, when it is diagnosed and treated early, the greater the chances of a cure. This paper aims the knowledge of the users of a basic health unit about the Papanicolaou exam (Pap smear) in the city of Cajazeiras in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, it has descriptive exploratory nature with a qualitative approach, therefore, it was used a data collection instrument which addressed sociodemographic questions, reproductive life and knowledge of women about the cytopathological examination. The analysis of the subjective questions was performed using the technique of the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD). The discourses constructed reported that women report that the preventive exam is a way to detect and prevent disease, and it is considered its major achievement, it was also revealed the reasons that may interfere with adherence to cytopathological examination, such as fear, shame, discomfort, nervousness and uncomfortable position which is necessary to achieve the same. Thus, it becomes increasingly important to understand the feelings and expectations of women, so that they can be planned and implemented measures that can make that greater adherence to such examination. In regard to this, it is necessary to continuous and conscious orientation about this exam, being the nurse a developer of an educational process to women to promote awareness about the detection of cervical cancer.