Abstract
Objective: Analyze the perceptions and confrontations of women with breast cancer from diagnosis to treatment of the disease. Methodology: This is a descriptive, exploratory and qualitative study of 15 women diagnosed with breast cancer participants of the project "Vida Presente" (Present Life) from University of Montes Claros. In order to preserve the anonymity of the participants, they were invited to choose a pseudonym, through the design of a type of flower, where each interviewee was identified as the named flower. For this study, we used semi-structured interviews that were recorded with the consent of the women and transcribed in their entirety for later analysis. Results: The presentation of the results was divided into two stages: profiling of the women participants and the discursive exposition of the results from the women's perceptions about the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Most of the women surveyed were between 36 and 73 years of age, married, with low schooling and income. The results allowed grouping information about the coping of the diagnosis, treatment, consequences of the treatment and the role of the "Vida Presente" project at this stage. Conclusion: On the one hand, many difficulties experienced by women, such as the compromise of their self-image and the difficulties of the treatment were evidenced. On the other hand, they revealed hopeful feelings generated by religious support and by living with other women in Project Life (Present Life).