The aim of this study was to identify and analyze socioeconomic, behavioral and biological characteristics of women with cervical cancer that used public health services in a city in the south of Brazil. This is a qualitative study, realized with twenty women with a diagnosis of cervical cancer. The survey had as theoretical support the integrality of attention to the health. To collect data it was used the information from Information System of Cervical Cancer and a semi-structured interview. Characteristics of age, education, frequency to the medical consultation and the interval of prevent exams were identified. The findings make possible to say that women still have difficulty in considering the importance of pre-cancer in order to precocious detection and prevention of cervical cancer. The challenge to reach integrality is in the necessity of rethinking knowledge and professional practices in the care to women, independent of the reason which led them to the health service.
Nursing; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Women´s Health; Community health services; Comprehensive Health Care
