Social Representations of Breast Cancer, its Etiology and Treatment: A Qualitative Study with Women in Rio de Janeiro State

The prime purpose of this paper is to assess the social representations of breast cancer held by women in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, who suffered it. The disease, its etiology and treatment were discussed. We performed field research of a qualitative nature, studying ten women who had breast cancer in the 45 to 70 age group and had undergone a mastectomy. In order to assess the obtained data, we used the content analysis method and created nine analytical categories: definition and etiology of cancer, the discovery of the disease, the loss and the role of the breast, treatment, couple relationship/sex life, partner/family reaction to the diagnosis, anger, facilitator of coping and changes. The results of the study emphasized that the cancer is perceived by women as a risk and threat to life, that breast removal in most cases affects the female corporal identity, and that contracting the disease causes many significant changes in their lives