Abstract
This study aimed to analyze accounts of nurses who undertake the dressing of fungating wounds of women with breast cancer, and to outline contributions to the nursing care. This is qualitative research, carried out in November 2010 with interviews and thematic analysis involving five nurses from the outpatient department of a public hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, specializing in the treatment of breast cancer. Categories were elaborated corresponding to the practice of outpatient nursing; the cancer wound; and, indications for the nursing care. It is concluded that there is a need for specific knowledge in the area of oncology nursing, professional involvement, technical skill and autonomy, the forming of a therapeutic group, clinical attendance interfacing with the palliative approach, and collaborative work as a team.
Highlights
Malignant cancer wounds result from the skin being broken by the infiltration of cancerous cells
The population interviewed was made up of five nurses, all female, with a mean age of 30 years old, and who corresponded to the total number of nurses allocated to the dressings room in the outpatient department of the institution where data collection occurred
When the nurses report “professional autonomy”, which is the expression cited most in the interviews after the word “bond”, they focus on the necessary, albeit weak, partnership with the doctor for the benefit of the women attended in the outpatient department, because they believe in this professional’s importance in the physical and psychological care directed towards the control of the malignant fungating wound’s symptoms
Summary
Malignant cancer wounds result from the skin being broken by the infiltration of cancerous cells. They present as ulcerated wounds, either shallow or deep, which may or may not present a crater-like or cauliflower-like appearance. They progress to profuse exudate, friability, pain and a fetid odor. The site of the breast presents the highest incidence of this type of wound[1]. The worsening of the symptoms resulting from these wounds significantly impoverishes the quality of life of the women who experience the process of becoming ill through cancer[1,2]. The biggest problem identified in relation to these is the management of the control of the symptoms, which remains a true challenge for the patients, family members and health professionals[1,2,3]
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