ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER IN A CHEMOTHERAPY UNIT: CASE REPORT

Abstract

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous group of diseases, with different behaviors.  This heterogeneity can be observed by the varied clinical and morphological manifestations, different genetic signatures and differences in therapeutic responses.  Therefore, this study aimed to analyze, through consultation of medical records and interviews with nurses, specialists in oncology, the assistance provided to patients with breast cancer in a Chemotherapy Unit. It was a qualitative study, of the case study type, which was carried out in a Chemotherapy Unit, of a University Hospital, located in the interior of the State of São Paulo. Data were collected through the medical record of a patient diagnosed with breast cancer, selected at random, in addition to an interview with the nurse responsible for the sector.  The case study referred to a 76-year-old female patient, diagnosed with non-special invasive breast carcinoma who, after performing a Left Breast Quadrantectomy + Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, started adjuvant chemotherapy.  Regarding nursing care, it was found that the nurse follows institutional protocol, and reinforced care related to venous access and allergic reactions.  However, there were difficulties regarding the implementation of the Systematization of Nursing Care.  Therefore, it is concluded that the provision of assistance focused on people's health needs, associated with the integration of knowledge, becomes important, since it guides clinical reasoning and diagnostic decision-making, results and nursing interventions.