Mastectomy and the Meaning Attributed by Patients to Delay in Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is a major public health problem and its early detection (ED) can reduce the number of<br />breast mutilations, morbidity and mortality rates, health costs and negative health outcomes. Given that, this study<br />aimed to assess the meaning attributed by mastectomized women to delay in early detection of their breast cancers.<br />Methods: Qualitative research was conducted with 26 mastectomized women who participated in semi-structured<br />interviews about the meaning of delay in early detection of breast cancer in a reference oncology outpatient clinic in<br />the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Northeastern Brazil from December 2015 to January 2016. Information was analyzed on<br />the basis of symbolic interactionism. Results: After noticing breast changes, women start to ponder about them and<br />experience this moment according to interpretive particularities. Fear of disease, multiple roles in modern society,<br />denial of breast changes, lack of information on the issue, and lack of professionals to encourage their involvement in<br />health care, favor delay in the search for care and therefore in the early detection of breast cancer, which is a determinant of therapeutic success. Conclusion: Women receive limited information and professional support for breast health. Delay in<br />early diagnosis occurred in all the women who participated in the study.