Representations and social impact of the disease process, experienced by women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. This being the first cause of cancer in Portugal, it represents an important public health problem, sustained in its incidence as well as the risks in terms of mortality. In this framework, we focus our attention on the impact and social representation of the disease process, with the aim of contributing to the understanding of the phenomenon in question. In order to achieve this goal a study focused in literature review was outlined in a qualitative approach. For the compilation of studies, we used the method PICOD. The analysis of selected works was done through content analysis. The results suggest that the social representation of cancer is seen by both women patients and their relatives, as a fatalistic disease, linked to the incurable, translated into a death foretold. These representations potentiate the anxiety and depression, producing effects on quality of life of women in the personal, familial and social aspects, permeating the phases of diagnosis, treatment and remission or survival. The results suggest that there is a plurality of representations and impacts, mediators of this social phenomenon, uniquely experienced by the actors involved in a complex web in which the mobilization of multidisciplinary teams and self-help groups, are of paramount importance. The relevance of this study emerges from its enhancer contribution to the understanding of the phenomenon, rehearsing natural processes.