Piece torn from me: women with alopecia through antineoplastic chemotherapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v13i1.4600Keywords:
Alopecia, Neoplasias, Oncologia, Saúde da MulherAbstract
Objective: To know the perceptions of women about the altered self-image after alopecia by antineoplastic chemotherapy. Method: Descriptive, qualitative study carried out in an oncology hospital in the state of Pará. Thirty women with alopecia from antineoplastic chemotherapy participated. Data were produced from July to August 2021, through individual interviews with a semi-structured script. Data were analyzed under the precepts of Content Analysis associated with the IRAMUTEQ software. Results: We identified 17 women aged between 44 and 56 years (56.66%), with a steady partner (66.66%); Catholic (89.99%); with household income below one and up to two minimum wages (63.33%). Among the five classes generated by IRAMUTEQ, two will be analyzed in this article “the woman’s perception of hair loss” and “the hair as a meaning of femininity”. Conclusion: Women with altered self-images after alopecia are protagonists of physical and psychological confrontations that can negatively impact perceptions about appearance.