Cervical-Uterine Precursor Lesion Associated to Tobacco Smoking: A Study about the Knowledge among Women who Smoke

Abstract

Introduction: It is believed that a possibility to achieve results so as to favor the female population health concerning the high incidence of cervical-uterine cancer is the design of strategies for the prevention of risk factors, like tobacco smoking. Objective: To discuss the association between cervical-uterine cancer precursor lesions and tobacco smoking evidenced in women’s talk who have these cervical changes. Method: Qualitative and descriptive research, carried out in a Federal Public Institution in the city of Rio de Janeiro. 40 women who were diagnosed with cervical-uterine cancer precursor lesion participated, divided in 22 smokers and 18 women with past history in smoking within the age group from 22 to 70. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews, and analyzed under the perspective of the Social Representation Theory and categorized according to Bardin’s content analysis model. Results: In the women’s talk, association between tobacco smoking throughout their lives and the development of cervical-uterine cancer precursor lesions is noticed, and 4 categories are highlighted: the relationship between the disease and tobacco, cigarettes; the disease and the attempt to change their life style; the media strength, contributing to the information process; the blame for keeping the tobacco smoking. Conclusion: It can be noticed the need of strategic actions based on the consensual universe of these women that contributes to the importance of fighting tobacco smoking as a preventable risk factor for developing cervical-uterine cancer.