The woman with breast cancer: an experience from the perspective of the human care

Abstract

This article describes a proposal regarding the nursing care for women suffering from breast cancer. This proposal is founded on the experience gathered by nursing teachers and students through the program named Integral Attention Program to Women with Breast Cancer. This program was started in 2007 with the aim of offering holistic care to women suffering from breast cancer. The program is adjusted to the individual conditions of each patient. The orienting principles of the program reflect the human care theory of Jean Watson, and as a methodological tool, it reflects the nursing attention process.

The program started with a population of 20 women to whom, advising was offered regarding their treatments. By the year 2015, the program included 108 women, all of them who were individually assessed and treated in accordance to the nursing diagnosis and to the specific cancer stage and its corresponding treatment. Parallel activities included group encounters aimed at improving the women’s self-esteem and adherence to the treatments. Regarding the support aimed at overcoming the barriers in the administrative processes, improvements related to the authorization of support for diagnosis, as well as inter-consultation with specialties other than oncology, were all achieved. A total of 52 external breast prosthetic appliances and 22 wigs were given.