The pathways of care for women diagnosed with breast cancer

Objective: To describe the pathways of care experienced by women with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy. Methodology: It is a descriptive, exploratory and qualitative study, conducted among women in the Radiotherapy Clinic of a Federal University in the South of Brazil. The participants were six women affected by breast cancer who were receiving radiotherapy. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from March 2006 to December 2007. Results:The data were analyzed according to the operationalization of thematic analysis, emerging two categories: The plots of the pathways of care, and Overcoming the cancer diagnosis. Conclusions: It was perceived that pathways experienced by women affected by breast cancer involve both barriers and facilitators regarding access to health services, their relationship with professionals, and their ability to overcome. It is also considered important to have knowledge about the diagnosis of the disease in order to be an active person in this process. It is important to have well prepared health professionals and services, in order to accept women in ill situations, since support and guidance are essential to their recovery