Processo saúde-doença: representações sociais de homens que vivenciam ou vivenciaram o câncer de próstata

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most complex diseases to be addressed given its epidemiological, social and economic magnitude, and prostate cancer is considered a cancer of the elderly. In order to contribute to the problematization of health and disease discourse in the face of prostate cancer, this study aimed to analyze the social representations about the health-disease process from the perspective of men who had experienced prostate cancer. It is a qualitative research that uses as conceptual contribution the Theory of Social Representations and was performed with 21 participants diagnosed with prostate cancer. Data were collected through a semistructured interview, performed at the Family Health Units of Praia Grande - SP. To analyze the results, we selected the thematic analysis method proposed by Bardin (2011). Through the analysis of content emerged the following categories: Representations about what is health by men who experienced prostate cancer; Prostate Cancer: Representations of disease and discovery; Men weaving representations about treatment for prostate cancer; The relationship established by men with prostate cancer and health services. The first category had as evocations: living with quality of life, enjoying life, individual responsibility, ability to work and lifestyle. For the second category were: concepts of prostate, search for knowledge about the disease in books and the internet, an association of disease severity with the use of metaphors, a use of religion, spirituality and family support as socioemotional resources, reference in the ideas of normal and pathological, to help in understanding the picture, loss of autonomy, participation in prevention actions and in association for physical and uncomfortable exams. As for the third category as representation coupled with a relationship between surgery and end of sexual life, erectile dysfunction and urinary complications and as a consequence of radiotherapy, weakening and weakness. And for the last category as evoked relations were the relation of link with APS, delay for access to specialized level and laboratory examinations and service of higher quality in the specialties of services. From the analysis of the categories listed, it was possible to show that prostate cancer is directly related to the way as the men diagnosed with prostate cancer perceives their attitudes and consequences in the social environment. Understanding the context in which prostate cancer develops and its ways of coping, makes possible to clarify the process by which men think about their health and their illness, thus helping to live the experience of illness, to obtain Improvements in care and guidance in health practices