Autoestima no enfrentamento do câncer de mama em mulheres submetidas à quimioterapia

Abstract

Introduction: In Brazil, there are an estimated occurrence of 73,610 cases of breast cancer. With the possible changes felt in the course of therapy and the disease, emotional stability can be affected, thus involving changes in self-esteem, conceptualized as the self-assessment that the individual makes and which reflects in a behavior of approval or disapproval of his own self. Objective: To evaluate the self-esteem of women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: Development of a descriptive quantitative methodology study using Rosenberg's self-esteem scale. The participants were women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy, selected based on the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The sample consisted of 20 participants, during the first cycle of chemotherapy the participants had high self-esteem with a score above thirty points (80%) and average self-esteem (20%). In the third cycle of chemotherapy, 10% had medium self-esteem and 90% high self-esteem, showing an increase in self-esteem between chemotherapy cycles, in the first 34% and in the third 34.90%. Conclusion: No woman had unsatisfactory scores, low self-esteem. Participants exhibited a hopeful and positive perception of self-esteem. Thanks to the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) for the support and to FAPEMIG for the financial support granted to carry out the research.