Therapeutic Itinerary of Women with Cervical Neoplasms: an Approach Focused on Prevention

Abstract

Introduction: Brazil has been making increasing efforts to improve the efficiency of cervical cancer prevention programs, seeking to change the high rates of incidence and mortality from this type of cancer; however the measures adopted have not been obtaining the expected results. Objective: This study aims at analyzing the therapeutic itinerary of women with cervical neoplasms focusing on prevention. Method: The qualitative approach and the "Life Story" method, by means of open interview, has been adopted as methodology. The women interviewed were undergoing cervical cancer treatment in a hospital specialized in cancer treatment, located in a city of Minas Gerais. The data were analyzed after theme categorization. Results: Several reasons why most women do not carry out preventive measures have been pointed out. Among them, the concept raised from health, disease and prevention, the lack of information about preventive exams, cultural and social factors facing gender issues, the quality of care and organization of health services were emphasized. Conclusion: It is clear that the issue of prevention is not simply a choice, but a decision involving emotions, experiences, knowledge and circumstances, influenced by the social, cultural, political, and economic contexts and by evaluations of the responses obtained from the service, which are accomplished within the available possibilities.