This study aimed to identify how women experience the need to receive care after being diagnosed with cancer. The theoretical-methodological strategies utilized were Symbolic Interacting and the Grounded Theory. Data was collected from March to November of 2005, using 20 subjects. Ten of these were women with cancer in different stages of treatment and their respective relatives, who composed three sample groups. It was identified that they go from caretakers from those who are taken care of. For some of them, it was a good experience; while for others, being taken care of was quite uncomfortable. The care received was related to personal hygiene, feeding, domestic tasks, transportation, child care, company, and psychological support. Even physically weakened and in need of care, they did not abandon their caretaker role as they were concerned with the emotional state of their family members.
Women's health; Neoplasms; Nursing care; Family