O conhecimento de mulheres acerca do rastreamento do câncer de mama e suas implicações

Introduction: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the female population, and the second most frequent neoplasm in the world. The early detection of neoplasms, mainly through mammography, is fundamental to reduce the number of deaths and improve the prognosis. Objective: analyze the knowledge of women between 35 and 69 years of age enrolled in Family Health Strategies (ESFs) of Alfenas - MG, about the screening of breast cancer. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive and cross - sectional study in which questionnaires were applied in a sample population, selected from the total number of women enrolled in five ESFs in Alfenas - MG, and 224 women were interviewed from a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multivariate statistics using the principal components technique. All ethical criteria have been respected. Results: The preventive actions of screening influenced the reduction of mortality and better prognosis of the disease. Hormone replacement therapy is correlated with changes found in breasts. The age of the first menstrual period was shown to be correlated to the women who are already in menopause, characteristics considered to be at risk for the development of breast cancer. The regularity with which women perform mammography depends on their knowledge about this examination, considering the performance and practice of the important self-examination. It was verified that the use of contraceptives is directly related to age and marital status, as well as alterations found in the clinical examination of the breasts. Being in menopause was directly related to mammography. Risk factors for breast cancer, such as smoking, high fat diet and alcoholism, besides being highly correlated, presented an inverse relationship with mammography. Conclusions: knowledge about preventive exams and their importance is related to the regularity with which women perform them.