Qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de pessoas com câncer de pulmão avançado: um estudo qualitativo

Abstract

Introduction: Lung cancer is the type of cancer with the highest worldwide mortality rate among men and the second among women. Despite its relevance to public health, the experience of people affected by advanced lung cancer remains to be understood. Objective: To understand how people with advanced lung cancer perceive their health-related quality of life and the multiple aspects involved in their treatment. Method: This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Data collection took place through an interview based on a semi-structured questionnaire, with guiding questions. The theoretical framework used is that of Medical Anthropology, which is a relevant approach to public health problems. Interviews were carried out with seven adult persons, of both sexes (5 men and 2 women), diagnosed with advanced metastatic lung cancer, treated at a large, tertiary and university hospital, located in the interior of the State of São Paulo. Participants were invited to participate in the study at the health service and the interviews were conducted at home, seeking to ensure the necessary comfort and privacy. For the analysis of the material produced, the Thematic Content Analysis technique was used. Results: Two thematic categories were defined and analyzed. Being them: 1. Changes in daily life and in interpersonal relationships resulting from the treatment of lung cancer -in addition to the impact of physical symptoms on the organization of daily life, social issues and the exercise of occupational roles; 2. Coping with the disease and quality of life -the needs and demands for maintaining health were considered, as well as doubts and difficulties related to treatment. Discussion: The diagnosis of cancer usually has a negative psychosocial effect and can lead to a loss of quality of life for those affected. People with advanced lung cancer experience the suffering caused by the possibility of death, which can cause fear, distress and uncertainty about the future. On the other hand, it was also possible to observe that the experience of hope and the social support network can positively affect the quality of life of people with advanced lung cancer. Final Considerations: This study favored the understanding of the health-related quality of life of people with advanced lung cancer, which may contribute to improving the quality of care offered to this population. Its results are relevant because they contribute to the improvement of health services, to the training of professionals and their approaches to people with advanced disease.