Coping process in breast cancer post-treatment period / "Processo de enfrentamento no período pós-tratamento do câncer de mama".

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2006

RESUMO

The diagnosis of breast cancer and its treatment affect the woman s physical, social and emotional condition. To deal with stressful events triggered by the illness, the woman utilizes specific coping strategies for each stage of treatment and rehabilitation. The researches that discourse about coping with breast cancer mostly refers to the diagnosis and treatment periods, being scarce the ones related to the rehabilitation period (post-treatment). The present study purpose is the investigation of the coping process in breast cancer post-treatment patients. The approach to the study object fell upon the theoretical referencial of Coping. Sixteen women, post diagnosis ranging from one to four years already submitted to total or partial mastectomy, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, all they while assisted by a physical and psycossocial rehabilitation program were investigated. For such study, three instruments were used: 1) Structured Interview; 2) Scale of Ways of Coping with Problems (EMEP) and 3) Symptoms Inventory of Stress for Adults of Lipp (ISSL). The data were treated under the quanti-qualitative methodological approach. The results indicated the presence of physical, psychological and social stressors, such as alterations of body image, movement limitations, lymphedema, fear of relapse, concerns with their family and desires of resuming the professional occupation. The set of coping strategies utilized to deal with the wide range of stressors related to cancer included several diversified answers. Avoiding negative feelings and thoughts through the completion of idle time with positive and religious thoughts were evidenced as forms of maintaining the self-control in the course of the disease. The focus on the present time in detriment of antecipated concern with the future was also verbalized as strategy to deal with the fear of the relapse. Such copings, wich are focused on modifying the emotional content of the stressors (palliative strategies) coexisted with strategies focused on the resolution of the problem such as: planning, active attitude, information seeking and self-care. Having breast cancer was also verbalized as an opportunity for positive changes in the life eventually leading to a reevaluation of values and behavior. Strategies as acceptance of the self-finitude, fatalism, self-blame, hopelessness-helpelessness, although in smaller intensity, were also found. Most of the women evaluated their lives as good: their answers were focused on the positive aspects. However, the ISSL results showed that 37,5% of women presented stress diagnosis. Those results reinforce the importance of providing psycossocial rehabilitation to that clientele. The information disclosed in this work will entail the enhancement of the multiprofessional interventions in breast cancer psycossocial rehabilitation, contributing to an integrated performance directed towards the patient s needs in each specific period of the disease.

ASSUNTO(S)

breast cancer coping enfrentamento estresse stress câncer de mama

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