Câncer de colo de útero: estratégias de intervenção psicológica do do diagnóstico à escolha inicial do tratamento

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most common causes of mortality in Brazil, and Cervical Cancer is the third leading cause of death among women. It affects mostly 35 to 49 years old women, and it has high incidence rates in North and Northeast of Brazil. From this perspective, considering that cancer is a stigmatized disease, especially cervical cancer, which affects an organ related to the role of women in society and to the characteristics of female gender, health professionals must be prepared not only in terms of health care competence, but also regarding the emotional impact of the disease. Namely, both the diagnosis and the beginning of treatment are delicate moments that may yield negative consequences if, in such time, communication is handled without empathy and proper care. It is intended, therefore, to study the psychological assistance for cervical cancer patients, with emphasis in possible psychological strategy interventions that can be used since the first contact of the patient with the referred pathology until the beginning of the treatment. This study was based in bibliographical review, which showed that strategies as individual follow-up and groups (support groups and group psychotherapy) may help with the suffering of the women with cervical cancer. Besides, it was possible to observe scarce specialized publications about this disease.