Abstract
Objective:
The aim of this study was to understand the experience of young women diagnosed with breast cancer and mastectomized.
Methods:
This is a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach, grounded in Heideggerian framework. After being approved by a Research Ethics Committee, open interviews were conducted, guided by the following question: What was it like for you to have breast cancer and undergo mastectomy? A total of seven women aged between 18 and 35 years participated in this study.
Results:
Three thematic categories were obtained: The experience of being diagnosed with cancer; The experience of undergoing treatment in search of a cure for cancer; The experience of overcoming cancer.
Conclusion:
This phenomenon appears to be fraught with anguish and bewilderment of being-in-the-world with breast cancer, ignoring the fact that such a grim diagnosis may belong to the world of the young.
Keywords:
Oncology Nursing; Qualitative Research; Women; Breast Neoplasms; Mastectomy