The experience of breast cancer under the perception of women who underwent mastectomy: an analysis held from scientific publications

Abstract

Objective: to analyze, based on Systematic Literature Review, the perception of women who underwent mastectomy due to breast cancer about their relationship with their social group. Method: it is a descriptive study, which is classified as a Systematic Literature Review, performed in 2010, in which the following steps were conducted: the protocol construction; the definition of the guiding question of the study; the search for studies; the selection of studies; the critical assessment of studies; and the synthesis of data. Ultimately, we have selected 15 papers. Results: in most of the families, due to the situation of the mastectomy, it was verified a great union among the family members and, consequently, a better confrontation of the situation. Nevertheless, it was also verified the existence of family disaggregation, withdrawal of friends, sexual partner or of the woman itself, since there are no understanding and comprehension of the problem. Conclusion: The research has revealed that the dialogue among people who are significant for the woman contributes in the treatment and in the perception about the lived experience.