BREAST CANCER: THE ROLE OF THE NURSE IN APPROACH AND TREATMENT

Abstract

This study aimed to describe cancer, with emphasis on its particularities, and to highlight the role of nurses in the multidisciplinary treatment of breast cancer. This is a qualitative integrative review, based on scientific publications obtained from the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS and Google Scholar databases. The methodology followed the PRISMA 2020 protocol, totaling 18 articles selected after strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results showed that breast cancer is one of the most incident and lethal neoplasms among women, with diverse risk factors such as age, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle. Early diagnosis, through mammography and self-examination, is essential for therapeutic success. The study also highlighted the importance of nurses in screening, health education, emotional support and assistance during treatments. It was observed that the qualified performance of these professionals contributes significantly to the prevention and early detection of the disease. It is concluded that strengthening public policies, continuous training of nursing professionals and expanding access to information are fundamental strategies to reduce mortality and improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients in Brazil.