Meanings of quality of life held by patients with colorectal cancer in the context of chemotherapy

Authors

  • Luciana Scatralhe Buetto Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto
  • Marcia Maria Fontão Zago Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.0455.2572

Abstract

;;OBJECTIVE:;

; this study's aim was to interpret the meanings assigned to quality of life by patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

;;;;METHOD:;

; the ethnographic method and the medical anthropology theoretical framework were used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and participant observations with 16 men and women aged from 43 to 75 years old undergoing chemotherapy in a university hospital.

;;;;RESULTS:;

; the meanings and senses describe biographical ruptures, loss of normality of life, personal and social suffering, and the need to respond to chemotherapy's side effects; chemotherapy is seen as a transitional stage for a cure. Quality of life is considered unsatisfactory because the treatment imposes personal and social limitations and QoL is linked to resuming normal life.

;;;;CONCLUSIONS:;

; the meanings show the importance of considering sociocultural aspects in the conceptualization and assessment of quality of life.

;;

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Published

2015-06-01

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 3 (2015)

Section

Original Articles

License

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Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Buetto, L. S., & Zago, M. M. F. (2015). Meanings of quality of life held by patients with colorectal cancer in the context of chemotherapy. Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 23(3), 427-434. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.0455.2572