150 - SOCIAL- ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CANCER IN FEMALE PATIENTS' LIFE, AFTER DIAGNOSIS OF THE DISEASE

Abstract

The survey has as objective to evaluate the social - economic impacts of cancer in life of female patients, after the diagnosis of the disease. It was realized in the form of interview. The sample was consisted by 35 patients enrolled and serviced by AVAO- Voluntary Association to support the Oncology, of the town of Belém-PA, females, with average age of 56,28 (± 8,68) years, diagnosed with the following types of cancer: breast, 45.7% (16 patients); cervix, 37,14% (13 patients); skin, 2.86% (1 patient); palate, 2.86% (1 patient), paródita, 2.86% (1 patient), abdomen, 2.86% (1 patient), Naso-pharynx, 2.86% (1 patient) and cervix + breast, 2.86% (1 patient). To conduct the research, it was used the question number 28 from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire of Quality of life (EORTC QLQ-c-30), that consists of the following question: "your physical condition or medical treatment have brought you financial difficulties?". This issue has four possible answers, a Likert scale type, of 4 scores (i.e. no- score 1, less- score 2, moderate- score 3, so much- score 4). Then, it was requested, from the interviewed, a more detailed explanation about its social - economic situation after diagnosis of cancer and its treatment. More than a half of patients interviewed scored the option "so much – score 4", totaling 57,14%; 2.86% considered the impact "moderate –score 3"; 5,71% reported that it had affected a little their social - economic conditions (less – score 2); and only 34,29% scored the answer "no- score 1", claiming to have been able to maintain the standard of living before the disease.