Abstract
Objective
To unveil the woman's senses in the experience of lymphedema resulting from the treatment of breast cancer and analyze care proposals from the perspective of this woman's world of life.
Method
a phenomenological study, based on the theoretical and methodological reference of Martin Heidegger. The research scenarios were the Ascomcer Hospital and the Cristiano Varella Foundation, both in Minas Gerais, Brazil. A phenomenological interview was conducted with thirteen women who experienced lymphedema due to breast cancer.
Results
The women were ashamed and annoyed with the arm without esthetics. They become depressed, lose self-esteem and try to disguise, but it is not always possible. At times, they prefer not to leave the house. They find it difficult to buy clothes that fit in the swollen arm. The being-there-woman-who-experiences-the-lymphoedema-in-treatment-of-breast-cancer is revealed in appearance and impersonality. Lymphedema implies physical changes visible to all, but the difficulties experienced by the being-woman in daily care are hidden.
Conclusion and implications for practice
It is up to the nurse to consider the woman's perception about herself in relation to her body image to broaden her professional practice and seek to rethink care strategies that increase self-esteem and improve her quality of life.
Keywords:
Breast Neoplasms; Lymphedema; Self Concept; Nursing; Woman