A importância da atenção básica em saúde na detecção precoce do câncer de mama no município de Barbacena, Minas Gerais

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent pathological conditions in the female population, with great personal, family, social and economic impact, which has been increasing in recent years. Because it is morbidity with the possibility of early diagnosis, mainly through mammographic screening, it is susceptible of raising awareness among the primary health care teams, who should make efforts in their recognition and understand their important role in this screening and early diagnosis, which if expected, may decrease its consequences and complications, since when identified in the early stages, breast cancer is curable. Aiming to know the conditions for the screening and early diagnosis of breast cancer for basic health care in the city of Barbacena, Minas Gerais, this paper aims to investigate the knowledge, practices and professional attitudes of health teams in the area. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative research study carried out using as research techniques the application of questionnaires in the medical and nursing professionals of the 25 Family Health Teams (FHTs) of the municipality of Barbacena and other network professionals (management professionals, family support nucleus and other primary care physicians and nurses, although not linked to FHTs). Results and conclusions: The Barbacena municipality has a well-structured and distributed health care network composed of professionals, mostly young, predominantly female, recent graduates, with little time working in basic care and short time work in their basic health units. They have good knowledge about early detection of breast cancer but have difficulties applying their knowledge to their attitudes and practices. Permanent education actions are necessary so that the control of breast cancer is carried out effectively by these professionals.