Significados que construyen mujeres afrodescendientes frente al cáncer de mama y cuello uterino, atendidas en Medellín, ColombiaMeanings that build Afro-descendant women facing breast and cervical cancer, who were attended in Medellin, ColombiaSara Milena Ramos-Jaraba 1* orcid.org/0000-0002-8638-5209Marcela Carrillo-Pineda 1 orcid.org/0000-0002-3200-8600 Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a mujeres con CaMa y CaCu y grupos focales con población afrodescendiente sin cáncer; observaciones en citas médicas, quimioterapia y lugares cotidianos. El análisis fue guiado por el método de comparación constante. Resultados: Emergieron tres categorías: "El señor cáncer" que da cuenta de la enfermedad concebida como fatal y peligrosa, "La enfermedad desplaza", producto de la migración de las mujeres a Medellín para recibir tratamientos; y "Parte la vida en dos" por los cambios que conlleva la enfermedad. Conclusión: La enfermedad se concibió más allá de lo biológico al experimentar una alteración de la vida social, familiar y emocional. Se requiere mayor visibilidad del proceso salud-enfermedad de las afrodescendientes, por su rol ancestral como cuidadoras y forjadoras de unidad familiar.Palabras clave: Cáncer de mama; cáncer de cuello uterino; mujeres afrodescendientes; significados; investigación cualitativa. (Fuente: DeCS, Bireme).
AbstractIntroduction: Research on the health of Afro-descendant women is scarce in Colombia, especially when it comes to studies that show the relationship between ethnicity and cancer. Breast cancer and cervix need to be investigated from the voice of Afro-descendant women who suffer from it. Objective: To understand the meanings facing breast or cervix cancer that are built by Afro-descendant women in the health services of Medellín, Colombia. Materials and methods: A qualitative research with an ethnographic approach was made. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for women with breast and cervix cancer and there were focal groups with Afro-descendant population without cancer with observations in medical appointments, chemotherapy and everyday places. The analysis was guided by the Constant Comparative method. Results: Three categories emerged: "Lord Cancer" which accounts for the disease conceived as fatal and dangerous, "the disease displaces", product of the migration of women to Medellin to receive treatments; and "it parts life in two" because of the changes that the disease brings. Conclusion: The disease was conceived beyond the biological part by experiencing an alteration of social, familiar and emotional life. There is a need for greater visibility of the health-disease process of the afro-descendants, or their ancestral role as caregivers and family unit builders.