Procrastination in the early detection of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the meaning of postponement of breast cancer detection based on interviews with 26 women who were submited to mastectomy. METHOD: qualitative study based on Symbolic Interactionism with Content Analysis in thematic modality, carried out in a public service outpatient clinic, in a capital city of Northeastern Brazil. RESULTS: faced with the participants' reports, the theme 'meanings attributed to procrastination of breast health care' emerged. The meaning given by women to the reasons for postponing breast care permeate the interfaces between personal reasons and difficulties found in the healthcare network. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: early detection is considered to be delayed for fear of diagnosis, personal, cultural barriers, and difficulties in health services.

Chemical Profile, Antibacterial Activity and Antibiotic-Modulating Effect of the Hexanic Zea Mays L. Silk Extract (Poaceae).

The present study aimed to determine the chemical profile and to evaluate the antibacterial activity and antibiotic-modulating action of the hexanic Zea mays silk extract in association with aminoglycosides. Standard Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 strains, as well as multi-resistant Escherichia coli 27, Staphylococcus aureus 35, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 31 strains, were used in this study. Phytochemical prospection revealed the presence of the following secondary metabolites: tannins, flavones, flavonoids, and xanthones, with the main chemical constituents being identified in plant extracts obtained with apolar organic solvents such as hexane. The extract presented a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥1024 µg/mL against all the tested strains. The association of the extract with aminoglycoside antibiotics showed significant synergistic effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, except for amikacin, which was antagonized by the extract against E. coli. These results indicate the Zea mays silk presents bioactive compounds with antibiotic-modulating properties. However, further research is required to characterize the effects of isolated compounds and determine their potential for drug development.

Procrastination in the early detection of breast cancer / Procrastinación en la detección precoce del cáncer de mama / Procrastinação na detecção precoce do câncer de mama

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the meaning of postponement of breast cancer detection based on interviews with 26 women who were submited to mastectomy. Method: qualitative study based on Symbolic Interactionism with Content Analysis in thematic modality, carried out in a public service outpatient clinic, in a capital city of Northeastern Brazil. Results: faced with the participants' reports, the theme 'meanings attributed to procrastination of breast health care' emerged. The meaning given by women to the reasons for postponing breast care permeate the interfaces between personal reasons and difficulties found in the healthcare network. Final considerations: early detection is considered to be delayed for fear of diagnosis, personal, cultural barriers, and difficulties in health services.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar el sentido del aplazamiento de la detección del cáncer de mama a partir de entrevistas con 26 mujeres que fueron sometidas a la mastectomía. Método: estudio cualitativo fundamentado en el Interaccionismo Simbólico, con Análisis de Contenido en la modalidad temática, realizado en ambulatorio de servicio público, en una capital del nordeste brasileño. Resultados: Ante los relatos de las participantes, emergió la temática 'sentidos atribuidos a la procrastinación del cuidado de la salud mamaria'. El significado dado por las mujeres a los motivos del aplazamiento del cuidado con la mama atraviesan las interfaces entre razones personales y dificultades encontradas en la red de salud. Consideraciones finales: la detección precoz es retardada por miedo al diagnóstico, barreras personales, culturales y dificultades en los servicios de atención a la salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar o sentido do adiamento da detecção do câncer de mama, a partir de entrevistas com 26 mulheres que foram submetidas à mastectomia. Método: estudo qualitativo e fundamentado no interacionismo simbólico, com Análise de Conteúdo na modalidade temática, realizado em ambulatório de serviço público, numa capital do Nordeste brasileiro. Resultados: ante os relatos das participantes, emergiu a temática 'sentidos atribuídos à procrastinação do cuidado da saúde mamária'. O significado dado pelas mulheres, aos motivos do adiamento do cuidado com a mama, perpassa pelas interfaces entre razões pessoais e dificuldades encontradas na Rede de Atenção à Saúde. Considerações finais: considera-se que a detecção precoce é retardada por medo do diagnóstico, barreiras pessoais, culturais e dificuldades nos serviços de saúde.