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Publication
A experiĂȘncia de sobreviver ao cancro : o papel da rede de apoio e o medo da recorrĂȘncia
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Abstract(s)
A presente dissertação visa explorar a experiĂȘncia vivida por mulheres sobreviventes de cancro da mama, com especial enfoque no medo da recidiva e no papel do apoio social na adaptação Ă vida pĂłs-doença. O estudo segue um desenho qualitativo exploratĂłrio.
Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas a seis mulheres portuguesas em remissĂŁo hĂĄ, pelo menos, um ano, com o objectivo de compreender como experienciam o medo da recidiva e de que forma a sua rede de apoio influencia o percurso de sobrevivĂȘncia.
As entrevistas, conduzidas online, foram gravadas e analisadas atravĂ©s de anĂĄlise de conteĂșdo, com o apoio do software ELAN. A anĂĄlise revelou dois temas centrais, medo da recidiva e apoio social, com quatro subtemas cada. No medo da recidiva emergiram:
1) insegurança face ao futuro; 2) hipervigilĂąncia e necessidade de controlo; 3) ansiedade perante exames de rotina; 4) influĂȘncia do sistema de saĂșde neste medo. No apoio social, os subtemas foram: 1) apoio familiar; 2) apoio de amigos; 3) apoio de profissionais de saĂșde; 4) apoio de outras mulheres sobreviventes. Os resultados mostram que o medo da recidiva Ă© vivido de forma intensa e persistente, influenciado tanto por factores individuais como contextuais. O apoio social revelou-se um recurso crucial na resiliĂȘncia das participantes. Os apoios da famĂlia, dos amigos, dos profissionais de saĂșde, especialmente psicĂłlogos, e dos pares desempenham papĂ©is complementares na adaptação emocional e na reconstrução da identidade pĂłs-cancro.
Conclui-se que a sobrevivĂȘncia ao cancro da mama nĂŁo marca o fim do processo, mas sim o inĂcio de uma nova fase que exige acompanhamento contĂnuo. Recomenda-se a criação de intervençÔes psicolĂłgicas especĂficas para a gestĂŁo do medo da recidiva e o fortalecimento de redes de apoio, reconhecendo e valorizando a complexidade da vivĂȘncia das sobreviventes.
This master's thesis aims to explore the lived experience of women who have survived breast cancer, with a particular focus on the fear of recurrence and the role of social support in their post-cancer adaptation. The study follows an exploratory qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six Portuguese women who had been in remission for at least one year, to understand how they experience this fear and how their support networks influence their survivorship journey. The interviews were conducted online, recorded, and analysed using content analysis with the support of ELAN software. The analysis revealed two central themes, fear of recurrence and social support, each with four subthemes. Within the fear of recurrence theme, the subthemes identified were: 1) uncertainty about the future; 2) hypervigilance and need for control; 3) anxiety related to routine medical exams; and 4) the role of the healthcare system in shaping this fear. Regarding social support, the subthemes were: 1) family support; 2) support from friends; 3) support from healthcare professionals; and 4) peer support from other breast cancer survivors. Findings show that the fear of recurrence is experienced as intense and persistent, shaped by both individual and contextual factors. Social support emerged as a key resource in participant9s resilience. Support from family, friends, healthcare professionals, particularly psychologists, and fellow survivors plays complementary roles in emotional adjustment and identity reconstruction after cancer. In conclusion, surviving breast cancer does not mark the end of the process but the beginning of a new phase that requires continuous care. The study recommends the development of specific psychological interventions to manage fear of recurrence and strengthen support networks, while acknowledging and valuing the complexity of survivors' lived experiences.
This master's thesis aims to explore the lived experience of women who have survived breast cancer, with a particular focus on the fear of recurrence and the role of social support in their post-cancer adaptation. The study follows an exploratory qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six Portuguese women who had been in remission for at least one year, to understand how they experience this fear and how their support networks influence their survivorship journey. The interviews were conducted online, recorded, and analysed using content analysis with the support of ELAN software. The analysis revealed two central themes, fear of recurrence and social support, each with four subthemes. Within the fear of recurrence theme, the subthemes identified were: 1) uncertainty about the future; 2) hypervigilance and need for control; 3) anxiety related to routine medical exams; and 4) the role of the healthcare system in shaping this fear. Regarding social support, the subthemes were: 1) family support; 2) support from friends; 3) support from healthcare professionals; and 4) peer support from other breast cancer survivors. Findings show that the fear of recurrence is experienced as intense and persistent, shaped by both individual and contextual factors. Social support emerged as a key resource in participant9s resilience. Support from family, friends, healthcare professionals, particularly psychologists, and fellow survivors plays complementary roles in emotional adjustment and identity reconstruction after cancer. In conclusion, surviving breast cancer does not mark the end of the process but the beginning of a new phase that requires continuous care. The study recommends the development of specific psychological interventions to manage fear of recurrence and strengthen support networks, while acknowledging and valuing the complexity of survivors' lived experiences.
Description
Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Universitårio Egas Moniz
Keywords
Cancro da mama SobrevivĂȘncia Medo da recidiva Apoio social AnĂĄlise de conteĂșdo ResiliĂȘncia Intervenção psicolĂłgica