<b>Perceptions of social support of women submitted to mastectomy</b> - doi: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v11i1.18860

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand the perception of women who underwent mastectomy concerning social support in coping with breast cancer and mastectomy. This is a descriptive-qualitative study, carried out with three women residing in Manoel Ribas-PR, who were submitted to mastectomy.  Data were collected in May 2011 through semi-structured interview and treated according to the analysis of thematic content, showing the following categories: “Family, friends and community: a complex network of social support”, which demonstrates the importance of support from these groups in the recovery of women with mastectomy, and “Faith and Spirituality: support for the relief of pain and hope of rehabilitation”, which refers to spirituality as a relief in times of stress related to treatment. Health professionals should provide a support network for women and their families, playing an important role both in care and on the recovery of these women, offering psychological support and care.