Access and Adherence to Treatment of Women with Breast Cancer Attended at an Oncology Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The access to oncology treatment consists in expanding the service to women with the disease, while the adhesion suggests a certain reaction to the treatment from the chronic disease patient. Objective: To investigate the determining factors easing or prejudicing the access and adhesion to the treatment by women with breast cancer attended by an oncology hospital in Teresina, Piaui. Method: A quantitative study based on a questionnaire applied to 50 women regarding the Primary Care Assessment Tools and on the Morisky-Green Test, which investigates the aspects of therapeutic admission and adherence. Results: It was found that 36% of users are 39 to 49 years old, 62% live in other cities of Piaui or other states, and 60% earn up to minimum wage. Regarding the time past between the day when the appointment was scheduled and the day it occurred, 72% of women waited up to one week to be attended at the health institution. It was noticed that 42% of women presented nausea and vomits as one of the main collateral effects involved in clinic procedures. Conclusion: The access rate to oncology center facilities was satisfactory, while adhesion rates point out factors that may influence the permanence in the treatment. It is necessary to specify the access in public policies of health concerning oncology and to prioritize therapeutic interventions in breast cancer control, in the context of policies and programs of oncology care.