O câncer de mama na percepção de mulheres mastectomizadas / Breast cancer in the perception of mastectomized women

Este estudo exploratório teve como objetivo principal verificar a percepção de mulheres mastectomizadas quanto à notícia do diagnóstico e da mastectomia, rede de apoio social e experiências positivas durante o tratamento do câncer de mama. Participaram do estudo seis mulheres que já foram submetidas à mastectomia, com idade entre 46 e 77 anos. O instrumento utilizado foi a entrevista semi-estruturada. Os resultados indicaram que maior parte das respostas das entrevistadas estavam focadas em detalhes da fala do médico, e na postura ativa frente à notícia. Também foi observado que as vivências positivas frente à doença estiveram ligadas principalmente às mudanças de valores e atitudes, e que a principal rede de apoio relatada foi a família em geral e o cônjuge.

This paper had as its main objective to verify, from exploratory study, the perception of mastectomized women regarding the news of the diagnosis, mastectomy, the social support network and positive experiences during the treatment of breast cancer. Six women participated who have already undergone mastectomy, with ages ranging from 46 to 77. The instrument used was the semi-structured. The results indicated that most of the answers from the interviewees were focused on details in the speech of the doctor, and in the active posture towards the news. It was also observed that the positive experiences about the disease were linked mainly to changes in values and attitudes and that the main reported support network was the family and the spouse.

The Positive Experiences in Caregiving of Stroke Patients: A Study of Caregiving Satisfaction

BACKGROUND: Although research on caregiving for individuals with chronic illness indicates that the outcomes of caregiving may have both positive and negative experiences, little is known about the positive experiences of caregiving among those who are taking care of stroke patients. Positive experiences are likely to buffer the effects of stress and burden caused by caregiving activities, and may promote caregivers' positive attitudes beneficial to the recovery of stroke patients. METHODS: 78 caregivers for stroke patients participated in this questionnaire study. Content analysis was conducted to explore positive experiences, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were employed to investigate predictors for caregiving satisfaction. RESULTS: Half of the respondents were at least somewhat satisfied with their caregiving activities. Care givers' positive experience can be classified by 7 categories. Of these, improving of patients' condition, cognitive change in health, and cognitive changes in disease were relatively accounted for majority. The quality of the past relationship between patients and care givers was related on the care satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Although caregiving for stroke patients entails stress and burden, about half of the respondents in this study showed that caregiving activities may involve some positive experiences. The better relationship caregivers had with the patients before the onset of illness, the more caregiving satisfaction was reported. Health care professionals need to recognize the positive aspects of caregiving for stroke patients, and pay attention to the quality of prior relationship between stroke patients and their caregivers that can promote caregiving satisfaction.