Intervenções Grupais para Mulheres com Câncer de Mama: Desafios e Possibilidades

EFFECTS OF AROMATHERAPY ON ANXIETY SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the effect of aromatherapy on anxiety symptoms in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Method: a systematic review, carried out from the PEOT strategy: what are the effects of aromatherapy in reducing anxiety symptoms in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer? The research was conducted in six databases and in eight other data sources. Randomized clinical trials without date and language restrictions were included. Results: the sample consisted of seven studies. Aromatherapy was applied by inhalation (57.1%) and massage (42.8%), and was adopted alone or in conjunction with other interventions, demonstrating a reduction in anxiety symptoms in 71.4% of studies. The predominance of lavender, bergamot, frankincense and sandalwood essential oils is highlighted for their anxiolytic, relaxing, sedative, invigorating, antidepressant and muscle tension reducing effects. Conclusion: aromatherapy showed positive and significant results in reducing anxiety symptoms in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Meaning of Breast Cancer in Women’s Discourse

Objective: To reveal the meaning of breast cancer. Materials and method: A narrative research study that selected, using the snowball technique, 11 women (data saturation) diagnosed with breast cancer, on disease remission, and living in the region of Florianópolis (Brazil). Semi-structured interviews were conducted between August and December 2018, and they were subjected to the Collective Subject Discourse technique. Four central ideas emerged from the analysis of the narratives; this article presents the central ideal called “Meaning of the breast cancer diagnosis”, which has eight sense categories. Results: The central idea covers the following categories: “Suffering when facing the diagnosis”, “Fear of the disease and of death”, “Professional inability for bad news”, “Initiatives to streamline treatment”, “Concern and affection with the family members as a driving force to face cancer”, “Difficulties with the family members”, “Support from the family members, from the professionals and/or from the support group”, and “Faith and spirituality”. Conclusions: The discourse reveals that the meaning of the disease diagnosis is linked to the need for treatment, to the support provided by faith, family members, the health team, and support groups, and to the difficulties faced with family members and professionals. These results should imply the provision of specific Nursing care from the diagnostic phase until after cancer remission/survival.

Câncer de mama e homossexualidade feminina

Devido aos avanços dos tratamentos oncológicos, a sobrevida das pacientes com neoplasias mamárias tem aumentado significativamente, o que impõe a necessidade de compreender seus aspectos psicossociais. Diferenças de gênero e orientação sexual favorecem a ocorrência de desigualdades dentro dos serviços de saúde. Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar a produção científica nacional e internacional sobre variáveis relacionadas à saúde de mulheres lésbicas com câncer de mama. O levantamento bibliográfico foi realizado a partir das bases LILACS, PubMed, CINAHL e PsycINFO. Foram selecionados 20 artigos publicados entre 2007 e 2017. A análise permitiu delinear os temas: repercussões físicas e psicológicas do tratamento, enfrentamento, riscos de morbidade e mortalidade, qualidade de vida, menopausa e estudos de base populacional. A literatura explora de que modo a doença e o tratamento impactam de forma diferenciada a qualidade de vida de mulheres lésbicas acometidas por câncer de mama. Esse conhecimento é fundamental para subsidiar um cuidado sensível às necessidades dos segmentos minoritários da população.