Mastology Assistance in a Reference Unit of the Unified Health System in Ceara, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The time of breast cancer diagnosis has direct influence on the evolution and prognosis of the disease, and the precocity of the diagnosis is directly proportional to the chances of cure. Therefore, it is important to identify limitations for early diagnosis. Objective: To evaluate the care provided to patients in a reference unit in Mastology in Ceara, according to their origin. Method: Cross-sectional and quantitative study. A structured questionnaire was administered to users of outpatients of the Mastology Institute of Cancer Prevention in Ceara who had been under care during the year 2010. Results: Among the 600 women interviewed, 139 (23.2%) were diagnosed with breast cancer, 50.4% of whom lived in the capital and 49.6% in the countryside. The mean waiting time for a specialist consultation was 15 days for women living in the State capital and 30 days for those coming from the countryside, being twice as high (p=0.0001). When the surgical procedure was indicated, the average waiting time for residents in the capital was 39 days, and for those coming from the countryside, 63 days (p=0.046). The time to perform the biopsy was adequate for more than 90% of women, but this did not occur when it came to performing surgery. Among the women, 491 (81.8%) were satisfied with the service. Conclusion: The delay in performing surgery may cause a negative impact in the patient´s survival and reduce the chances of cure, especially for those who dwell in the hinterland of the State.