<b>Changes in social function and body image in women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to investigate the impairment of social and emotional functions, body image and future perspective in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment. This is a longitudinal research conducted from October 2012 to October 2013 at the chemotherapy unit of a private institution of Oncology located in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires were applied, Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 e Quality of Life Questionnaire -Breast Cancer Module, to 48 women subjected for the first time to chemotherapy, in three different stages of the treatment. Analysis with Friedman`s, Spearman and Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric tests was performed. Changes were observed in social function and body image, which compromised quality of life significantly. Results can subsidize the planning of and adjustments to the care provided to these women by considering the perception about the impact of therapy on QL and their perspectives.Keywords: quality of life, breast neoplasia, oncological nursing.Alterações na função social e imagem corporal de mulheres com câncer de mama em quimioterapia RESUMO. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o comprometimento da função social, emocional, imagem corporal e perspectiva futura de mulheres com câncer de mama submetidas ao tratamento quimioterápico. Pesquisa longitudinal, realizada em Outubro de 2012 a Outubro de 2013, na unidade de quimioterapia de instituição privada de Oncologia situada em Curitiba-PR, Brasil. Aplicaram-se questionários sociodemográfico e clínico, Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 e Quality of Life QuestionnaireBreast Cancer Module a 48 mulheres submetidas pela primeira vez à quimioterapia em três etapas diferentes do tratamento. Realizou-se análise com testes não paramétricos de Friedman, Spearman e Kruskal-Wallis. Alterações foram percebidas na função social e imagem corporal que comprometeram significativamente a qualidade de vida. Os resultados podem subsidiar o planejamento e ajustes no cuidado a essas mulheres ao considerar a percepção do impacto da terapêutica na QV nas suas perspectivas.Palavras-chave: qualidade de vida, neoplasias da mama, enfermagem oncológica.

A alopecia no câncer de mama

“…9 In our society, beautiful breasts and long straight hair are seen as symbols that reinforce the construction of femininity, and social norms dictate that women exhibit them. 12 Thus, society is seen as an organization that affects the way woman faces her illness, and the way she confronts her. In this sense, Symbolic Interactionism allows us to reflect that in the context under study, women tend to social isolation, because, in interacting with each other, they construct a meaning for their body image, and their self-image becomes what they was interpreted from this interaction.…”

Cuidado de enfermagem na perspectiva do mundo da vida da mulher-que-vivencia-linfedema-decorrente-do-tratamento-de-câncer-de-mama

“…Breast cancer can disorganize several aspects of the woman´s life, be it physical, social and emotional, which will depends on the severity, the unforeseen in the course of the disease, changes in the body structure and change in self-image. 7 In hermeneutics, the being-there-woman-who-experienceslymphedema-due-to-breast-cancer-treatment shows itself in appearance and in the impersonality. For Heidegger, in appearance the entity shows itself in a way that in the effective reality does not correspond to what it truly is.…”

“…The need for professional action committed to a humanized practice stands out, which pre-occupies itself with contributing to better living conditions, adaptation to the new reality, and prevention of harms and encouragement of the autonomy in the face of the adversities inherent to illness. 7 One believes in the importance of professionals to develop interventions that encompass the person in an integral manner, going beyond the view of the disease to contemplate other issues such as the sociocultural context. Immersed in a society that deals with physical beauty and appearance, the woman can be influenced by this context, 17 thus, it is necessary to examine how is being for her to deal with body changes and prejudices that emerge from the environment where she lives.…”

“…Studies show that the life quality is affected by changes in self-image, this is why we need to consider these questions in the planning and evaluation of care . 7 The Nurse inserted into the therapeutic itinerary of this woman, be in the primary, secondary or tertiary care, has the possibility to identify nursing diagnoses that guide this care, considering the psychosocial aspect as "Low situational self-esteem" and "Body image disturbance". 8 However, many times, the professional is limited to proposing a care plan to cover the somatic issues and ceases to subjectively scrutinize the impact of the modified self-image on the women´s daily lives.…”

“…8 However, many times, the professional is limited to proposing a care plan to cover the somatic issues and ceases to subjectively scrutinize the impact of the modified self-image on the women´s daily lives. 7 The way the person sees itself and behaves before the need of care with the affected arm can many times reveal an emotional and physical discomfort that brings alterations in the quality of life. In order to promote a care that favors the physical and mental well-being of this person, the professional can avail of care that increases self-esteem, 9 that requires the knowledge of the fragilities and potentialities of the being who becomes ill due to the appearance of lymphedema.…”