Diagnóstico de um grupo de familiares em risco para o câncer de mama: contribuição para a assistência de enfermagem

Abstract

Due to the incidence, mortality and high costs, female breast cancer is considered a Health Care issue in Brazil. Its etiology binds an interaction of various risk factors which can be environmental and genetic ones. A positive family history for breast cancer is an important risk factor for the development of this pathology. Knowing the factors and protection measures allow the women with high risk create personal strategies that minimize the damage caused by the disease. Objectives: evaluate the level of knowledge of the women regarding the risk of breast cancer development related to family history with population which carries this neoplasia assisted by the Hospital do Câncer III, Cancer National Institute (INCA) branch specialized on breast cancer treatment and control, located at the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; describe the social demographical characters of the women whose relatives are breast cancer patients and report their hormonal and reproductive history as well as their health care habits. Methodology: It consists of an exploratory study under a quantitative perspective in a descriptive and transversal way with 52 women that accompanied their hospitalized relatives in a clinic and surgery unity of Hospital do Câncer III. The data collection was performed between July and August 2011. The sampling technique adopted was intentionally the non-probabilistic. The applied sample size calculation was infinite population. The selected variables to compose the study were the following: social demographical aspects, reproductive and hormonal life aspects, health care aspects and awareness concerning the pathology/disease. The structured interview counted with a form of 63 questions. Results: 61,5% were daughters 34,6% were sisters and 3,8% were mothers, 40,4% lived in the city of Rio de Janeiro, 86,4% were between 29 and 51 years old, 32% were yellow, 46,1% finished high school, 46,2% were housewives, 15,4% had premature menarche, 7,7 % had late menopause, 7,7% adopted Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), 38,5% never got pregnant 3,8% got pregnant after 30 years old, 3,8% did not breastfeed, 42,4% took hormonal contraceptive for more than 5 years and 40,4% never stopped taking hormone contraceptive or stopped for period under 6 months, 7,7% and 7,6% never stopped taking hormone contraceptive and had more than 24 months from their last gynecological exam. Regarding the degree of awareness 34% agreed with the risk factor affirmatives, 65% agreed with preventive measures and the health professionals were the main source of information about breast cancer. Conclusion: first-degree relative associated with lack of knowledge put the women more vulnerable in relation to general feminine population. Here resides the chance for nursery assistance educational strategies which achieve health promotion and contribute for a disease changing panorama caused by early detection.