Compreensão de mulheres na população geral quanto à prevenção do câncer do colo de útero e de mama

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Brazilian estimates show that the coverage of the Pap smear has increased over the years, however, studies show a lower coverage among women with greater social vulnerability. Breast cancer is the most frequent and the leading cause of cancer death in Brazilian women. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the understanding of women in the general population regarding the Pap smear and mammography. METHODOLOGY: This is a cut of a larger project, of the type research-action with quantitative and descriptive approach. Data were collected through the application of an electronic questionnaire (Google Forms). Descriptive data statistics, cross-tabulation and significance tests were obtained. RESULTS: 209 women participated in the research, with an average age of 32 years, ethnically 60.8% are white, 39.2% had incomplete higher education and 56.5% work outside the home with a fixed income, 57.9% are single with some religion (80.4%), living in urban areas (98.6%), with no family history of cervical cancer (79.4%) or breast cancer (64.6%). They have already undergone the Pap smear (80.9%), and the reason for refusing to undergo the exam is because of shame (48.8%). Regarding breast cancer, 64.6% did not undergo the mammography exam and 89.9% know the purpose of the exam. CONCLUSION: The study made it possible to identify the profile of women who undergo the exams, know the purpose of the exams, but resistance to the program's adherence persists. Keywords: Pap smear; Mammography; Women's Health; Nursing; Cervical cancer.