Compreendendo o próprio diagnóstico: análise do relato de mulheres portadoras de câncer de mama

Abstract

The objective of this research, through a reflective and comprehensive model, is to clarify how women with breast cancer establish their understanding of their illness, that is, how they reveal their diagnosis to themselves, independent of medical explanation. The material obtained through the interviews was analyzed according to the phenomenological and existential theory in Psychology. This analysis concluded that the women aIways knew when something was different with their breast, but did not associate the alteration with anything serious. However, when they began to experience pain their perception of the alteration begin to chance. The patients presumed that their doctors had not given them accurate information about their disease and that only through attentive observation of their doctor's behavior they concluded that the illness was cancer. They also contributed this conclusion to memories and associations with people from their past who had cancer. This study also discusses the importance of the relationship between the patient and multidisciplinary staff. It stresses the necessity of emotional awareness and stability in the staff, emphasizing that the role of the psychologist is essential for the global comphreension of the illness and the facilitation of a more authentic relationship with the patient