Abstract
Cancer is a disease characterized by abnormal cell formation and division, a mutation linked to several external and internal factors and related to habits and cultures. The objective of this study was to know the perception of patients of the Brazilian Association of People with Cancer (ABRAPEC) from Jundiaí-SP at the moment of disclosure of cancer diagnosis. This was a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study, based on the theory of Social Representations, following the guidelines of the Discourse of the Collective Subject. The sample was composed of 30 ABRAPEC users who answered two questionnaires, one with five questions on biosocial aspects, and another with one question regarding the main objective of the study. The central ideas of the participants regarding the feelings at disclosure of cancer diagnosis were: "fear"; "sadness"; "death"; "normal"; "guilt"; "fright" and "suicide". The central ideas, for the most part, showed that the news of cancer represents feelings of hopelessness and even death.
Highlights
Cancer is characterized by a disordered growth of cells that invade tissues and organs forming malignant tumors
The etiology of cancer is complex, with external factors interrelating with internal factors, as they are directly linked with the form of reaction against a cellular aggression of high malignancy
80% to 90% of cancers are associated with socio-environmental factors [2]
Summary
Cancer is characterized by a disordered growth of cells that invade tissues and organs forming malignant tumors. Cell migration to other tissues and organs may occur when they detach from the primary tumor, through blood and lymphatic stream reaching other regions of the body, characterizing metastasis [1]. As these cells have a rapid division, they tend to be very aggressive and uncontrollable, determining the formation of tumors (accumulation of cancer cells) or malignant neoplasms. 80% to 90% of cancers are associated with socio-environmental factors [2]
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