PERSPECTIVES OF COPING WITH CANCER IN CASES OF PATIENTS WITH LATE DIAGNOSES

Abstract

Cancer comprises a group of diseases of multifactorial origin. It is a disease with high associated mortality, especially in cases of late diagnosis. However, when the disease is discovered early, there are great chances of recovery and even cure. Therefore, the objective of this study is to understand the socioeconomic profile of cancer cases with late diagnosis at the Hospital do Bem, in Patos-PB, as well as the patient's perspectives in the process of coping with the disease, from diagnosis to treatment. The study was carried out through a field research, with a quantitative approach, carried out through interviews with patients, with the application of questionnaires to obtain data, which were then categorized and analyzed. Among the main results, the majority of patients are socioeconomically vulnerable and consider that there was a lack of access to services and care for their own health in the discovery process. Therefore, it is extremely important to encourage early diagnosis, in addition to expanding access to screening and health care, especially for the economically disadvantaged.