@article { author = {da Silva, Raimunda Magalhães and Pinheiro, Cleoneide Paulo Oliveira and Bezerra, Indara Cavalcante and Caldas, José Manuel Peixoto and Brasil, Christina César Praça}, title = {Mastectomy and the Meaning Attributed by Patients to Delay in Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer}, journal = {Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention}, volume = {19}, number = {8}, pages = {2083-2088}, year = {2018}, publisher = {West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.}, issn = {1513-7368}, eissn = {2476-762X}, doi = {10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.8.2083}, abstract = {Background: Breast cancer is a major public health problem and its early detection (ED) can reduce the number ofbreast mutilations, morbidity and mortality rates, health costs and negative health outcomes. Given that, this studyaimed to assess the meaning attributed by mastectomized women to delay in early detection of their breast cancers.Methods: Qualitative research was conducted with 26 mastectomized women who participated in semi-structuredinterviews about the meaning of delay in early detection of breast cancer in a reference oncology outpatient clinic inthe city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Northeastern Brazil from December 2015 to January 2016. Information was analyzed onthe basis of symbolic interactionism. Results: After noticing breast changes, women start to ponder about them andexperience this moment according to interpretive particularities. Fear of disease, multiple roles in modern society,denial of breast changes, lack of information on the issue, and lack of professionals to encourage their involvement inhealth 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 inearly diagnosis occurred in all the women who participated in the study.}, keywords = {breast cancer,Early Diagnosis,Patient Adherence,Women’s Comprehensive Health Care}, url = {https://journal.waocp.org/article_66083.html}, eprint = {https://journal.waocp.org/article_66083_b6d589e1451366d47a528a7c309b417a.pdf} }