The occurrence of oral mucositis was lower in patients in the chamomile group than in the control group. When compared to the controls, the chamomile group presented less mouth pain and had no ulcerations. Cryotherapy was well tolerated by both groups, and no toxicity related to chamomile was identified.

There was no strong evidence that indicates differences between topical pharmacological interventions or non-pharmacological topical controls in the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis among patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

Objective: develop the content and face validation of an educative manual for patients with head and neck cancer submitted to radiation therapy. Method: descriptive methodological research. The Theory of Psychometrics was used for the validation process, developed by 15 experts in the theme area of the educative manual and by two language and publicity professionals. A minimum agreement level of 80% was considered to guarantee the validity of the material. Results: the items addressed in the assessment tool of the educative manual were divided in three blocks: objectives, structure and format, and relevance. Only one item, related to the sociocultural level of the target public, obtained an agreement rate <80%, and was reformulated based on the participants' suggestions. All other items were considered appropriate and/or complete appropriate in the three blocks proposed: objectives - 92.38%, structure and form - 89.74%, and relevance - 94.44%. Conclusion: the face and content validation of the educative manual proposed were attended to. This can contribute to the understanding of the therapeutic process the head and neck cancer patient is submitted to during the radiation therapy, besides supporting clinical practice through the nursing consultation.

This is a qualitative study, conducted at a Clinic of Mastology of a public hospital of the Federal District, which aimed to know the impact of breast cancer in the lives of couples, women submitted to mastectomy and their partners. The sample consisted of three couples, five women submitted to mastectomy and three partners. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, which gave rise to two broad categories: Perceptions about breast cancer and Consequences in everyday life. The diagnosis of cancer is received as a traumatic one, bringing feelings of mutilation, dependence, prejudice and loss of femininity. One conclude that significant changes occur in married life and that mutual support is needed to better cope with the disease, followed by the necessary family support. Key words: Women's health; Breast cancer; Mastectomy. RESUMEN Este es un estudio cualitativo, realizado en una Clínica de Mastología de un hospital público del Distrito Federal, cuyo objetivo fue conocer el impacto del cáncer de mama en la vida de las parejas, mujeres sometidas a mastectomía y sus compañeros. La muestra constó de tres parejas, cinco mujeres sometidas a mastectomía y tres compañeros. Entrevistas semiestructuradas se llevaron a cabo, lo que dio lugar a dos grandes categorías: Percepciones sobre el cáncer de mama y Repercusiones en la vida cotidiana. El diagnóstico de cáncer es recibido como de forma traumática, con sentimientos de mutilación, dependencia, preconceptos y pérdida de la feminidad. Es posible concluir que se producen cambios significativos en la vida de la pareja y que el apoyo mutuo es necesario para sobrellevar mejor la enfermedad, seguido por el necesario apoyo familiar. Palabras clave: Salud de la mujer; Cáncer de mama; Mastectomía.

Objective: To estimate the incidence and distribution of the degree of radiodermatitis in cancer patients submitted to radiotherapy in the regions of head and neck, breast, and pelvis. Method: Prospective, longitudinal, quantitative study conducted from March 15, 2016 to May 4, 2017 with patients observed for five weeks of treatment. The primary outcome was the proportion of grade 1 or higher radiodermatitis each week. The degree of radiodermatitis and mean time of occurrence for each patient were secondary outcomes. Results: This study included 112 patients. The incidence of radiodermatitis was 100% among those whose head and neck region was irradiated, followed by 98% for breast and 48% for the pelvic region. The degree of radiodermatitis varied with the irradiated site; the worst degrees were found in the head and neck region, followed by the breast. In the three groups, the mean time of the first occurrence of radiodermatitis was approximately eleven days. Conclusion: The incidence of radiodermatitis in the studied groups was high, which reinforces the need to perform the same evaluation nationwide. This would support creating and standardizing protocols and recommendations for a proper management of radiodermatitis, specially concerning its prevention.