Objective:
to explore the experiences and
coping strategies of
women undergoing
prophylactic mastectomy when faced with the
risk of hereditary
breast cancer.
Method:
a descriptive qualitative study with phenomenological approach conducted with convenience sampling and complemented by snowball sampling. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with
women at
risk of hereditary
breast cancer who had undergone
prophylactic mastectomy. There was
data analysis according to the Miles and Hubermans model.
Results:
the study included nine
women; 55.6% were between 40 and 50 years old and had been diagnosed before they were 40 and presented BRCA2
mutation.
Women demanded higher
knowledge about hereditary
breast cancer and the
surgery, particularly regarding estimated
pain and interference in daily
life activities. They also expressed concern and distress when receiving the news, because they had to undergo
surgery while healthy. The most usual
coping strategies were support by
relatives and
friends,
sports, and
nipple tattooing. They highlighted the importance of humanized care and active
communication by
specialists, as well as the importance of
resources such as
associations, image banks, or psychological
therapy to enable coping.
Conclusions:
prophylactic mastectomy generates a high impact on
women. For an improvement in coping, it is necessary to provide humanized care, to convey truthful and quality information, to offer care based on their
needs encouraging autonomy, and to provide emotional support.(AU)