Significados de la quimioterapia por cáncer de mama en mujeres de Florianópolis, Medellín y San Luis Potosí
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Vive Rev. Salud
Abstract
El cáncer de mama es el más frecuente entre las mujeres y constituye un problema de salud pública, afecta la salud individual, familiar y colectiva. El diagnóstico y tratamiento pueden tener efectos significativos en todas las esferas de la vida de la mujer y la familia. El objetivo del estudio es comprender los significados que atribuyen al proceso de quimioterapia por mujeres que han padecido cáncer de mama en las ciudades de Florianópolis (Brasil), Medellín (Colombia) y San Luis Potosí (México). Se empleó una metodología cualitativa con enfoque fenomenológico-hermenéutico. Se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a 43 mujeres entre 43 y 70 años, seleccionadas mediante muestreo bola de nieve. Los resultados revelan que la quimioterapia es vivida como un proceso duro, transformador y emocionalmente complejo. La alopecia emerge como el síntoma más impactante, afectando la identidad femenina y la autoestima. Las participantes resignifican su propósito vital, reorganizan valores y desarrollan estrategias de afrontamiento que incluyen apoyo familiar, espiritual y profesional. La experiencia genera vulnerabilidad, conciencia de la finitud y necesidad de acompañamiento integral. Se concluye que la quimioterapia transforma profundamente la vida de las mujeres, y que el cuidado humanizado, empático y centrado en la persona promueve resiliencia y reconstrucción del sentido de sí mismas.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and constitutes a public health problem, affecting individual, family, and community health. Diagnosis and treatment can have significant effects on all spheres of a woman's and her family's life. The objective of this study is to understand the meanings attributed to the chemotherapy process by women who have suffered from breast cancer in the cities of Florianópolis (Brazil), Medellín (Colombia), and San Luis Potosí (Mexico). A qualitative methodology with a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was used. In-depth interviews were conducted with 43 women between 43 and 70 years of age, selected through snowball sampling. The results reveal that chemotherapy is experienced as a difficult, transformative, and emotionally complex process. Alopecia emerges as the most impactful symptom, affecting female identity and self-esteem. The participants redefine their life purpose, reorganize values, and develop coping strategies that include family, spiritual, and professional support. The experience generates vulnerability, an awareness of mortality, and a need for comprehensive support. It is concluded that chemotherapy profoundly transforms women's lives, and that humanized, empathetic, and person-centered care promotes resilience and the reconstruction of their sense of self.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and constitutes a public health problem, affecting individual, family, and community health. Diagnosis and treatment can have significant effects on all spheres of a woman's and her family's life. The objective of this study is to understand the meanings attributed to the chemotherapy process by women who have suffered from breast cancer in the cities of Florianópolis (Brazil), Medellín (Colombia), and San Luis Potosí (Mexico). A qualitative methodology with a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was used. In-depth interviews were conducted with 43 women between 43 and 70 years of age, selected through snowball sampling. The results reveal that chemotherapy is experienced as a difficult, transformative, and emotionally complex process. Alopecia emerges as the most impactful symptom, affecting female identity and self-esteem. The participants redefine their life purpose, reorganize values, and develop coping strategies that include family, spiritual, and professional support. The experience generates vulnerability, an awareness of mortality, and a need for comprehensive support. It is concluded that chemotherapy profoundly transforms women's lives, and that humanized, empathetic, and person-centered care promotes resilience and the reconstruction of their sense of self.
Description
Vol. 8, No. 24