‘They never told me that I always had to see a doctor’: how lack of information affects cancer treatment | Profession Reporter

Patients interviewed by the report report delays in diagnoses due to lack of knowledge and information

“In 2017, the first sign appeared. And, due to lack of knowledge, I didn’t pay attention either. Only when I started to bleed, I started to feel sick, I went for the exam and it turned out to be cervical cancer”, he said. Sheila Ferreira, housewife who is undergoing treatment for the disease at FCECON (Fundação Centro de Controle de Oncologia do Estado do Amazonas).

‘They never told me that I always had to see a doctor’: how lack of information affects cancer treatment

The report also visited a clinic that welcomes women diagnosed with cancer in Belfort Roxo, in Rio de Janeiro. The lack of knowledge about the disease was also an obstacle for them.

“I got married, had a child and they never told me that I had to always be at the doctor’s check-up. And it has come back now, after 30 years”, said Dinalva Fernandes, 73 years old, undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Researchers evaluate self-collection test to diagnose cervical cancer

In the rural area of ​​the city of Manaus, a group of researchers is evaluating a new strategy to assist in the diagnosis of cervical cancer: the self-collection device.

The plastic tube with a rod allows the woman herself to touch the tip of the bristles to the cervix and collect the material for the test that will detect whether or not she has HPV – the virus is the main cause of cervical cancer. uterus.

For the success of the initiative, health agents, responsible for taking the tests to women, are important characters.

“There’s a community member in my area who said she hadn’t had a blood sample for over 5 years. In their minds, for them to take the exam, they have to be feeling something,” said Talice Rabelo, community health agent.

Check out the latest reports from Profissão Repórter below: