The Perception of the Patient Bearers of Advanced Lung Cancer before Physiotherapy Palliative Care

Abstract

Introduction: Lung cancer is a highly lethal disease, usually detected in advanced stages. Corresponds to the third highest incidence in males and is the fifth most frequent tumor in females. The treatment depends on the patient’s medical history, his age, general condition, type and stage of the tumor. The physiotherapist holds methods and resources that are immensely useful in the palliative care, and its performance corroborates with the multi-professional treatment. Objective: To describe the perception of patients with advanced lung cancer on physiotherapy palliative care, the patient health status and the main clinical complaints related to the disease. Method: This was a qualitative research on 10 advanced lung cancer individuals admitted to Messejana Dr. Carlos Alberto Gomes Studart Hospital in Fortaleza-Ceará applied with a five-guiding questions questionnaire. Results: data analysis revealed three distinct categories: the sadness and suffering caused by the illness; the limitations and disabilities in daily life and the performance of the physiotherapy in relation to the palliative care. Conclusion: From the patients perceptions, the role of physiotherapy showed to be of great value, with its actions contributing with motivation in a substantial assistance in the treatment of patients with advanced lung cancer.