Meanings of breast cancer treatment for lesbian women and their intimate partners
Abstract Objective Among women at risk of developing breast cancer, lesbians tend to have their health needs neglected, which calls for the development of strategies that are sensitive to their specific demands. This qualitative study aimed to understand the meanings that lesbian women with breast...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Estudos de Psicologia (Campinas) |
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-166X2025000103106&lng=en&tlng=en |
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| _version_ | 1849710736249454592 |
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| author | Carolina de Souza Manoel Antônio dos Santos |
| author_facet | Carolina de Souza Manoel Antônio dos Santos |
| author_sort | Carolina de Souza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective Among women at risk of developing breast cancer, lesbians tend to have their health needs neglected, which calls for the development of strategies that are sensitive to their specific demands. This qualitative study aimed to understand the meanings that lesbian women with breast cancer and their intimate partners attribute to the treatment. Method This is a qualitative, descriptive-exploratory study with a cross-sectional design, grounded in gender studies as the theoretical framework. Participants included seven women (four with a breast cancer diagnosis and three intimate partners). Episodic narrative interviews were conducted individually using a topic guide. Transcribed data were coded through thematic analysis, with emerging themes interpreted within the gender studies framework. Results Six themes described the meanings that women with cancer constructed for their treatment and eight themes outlined the meanings assigned by their companions. Conclusion The treatment was experienced with distinct meanings by patients and their intimate partners, yet all converged on the perception of the experience as a limiting situation – one that not only tested their tolerance for pain and frustration but also forced them to confront the fragility of the human condition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-36e8ef623c2e44eea461f14975cb9c81 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1982-0275 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Estudos de Psicologia (Campinas) |
| spelling | doaj-art-36e8ef623c2e44eea461f14975cb9c812025-08-20T03:14:50ZengPontifícia Universidade Católica de CampinasEstudos de Psicologia (Campinas)1982-02752025-06-014210.1590/1982-0275202542e230110Meanings of breast cancer treatment for lesbian women and their intimate partnersCarolina de Souzahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9333-7486Manoel Antônio dos Santoshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8214-7767Abstract Objective Among women at risk of developing breast cancer, lesbians tend to have their health needs neglected, which calls for the development of strategies that are sensitive to their specific demands. This qualitative study aimed to understand the meanings that lesbian women with breast cancer and their intimate partners attribute to the treatment. Method This is a qualitative, descriptive-exploratory study with a cross-sectional design, grounded in gender studies as the theoretical framework. Participants included seven women (four with a breast cancer diagnosis and three intimate partners). Episodic narrative interviews were conducted individually using a topic guide. Transcribed data were coded through thematic analysis, with emerging themes interpreted within the gender studies framework. Results Six themes described the meanings that women with cancer constructed for their treatment and eight themes outlined the meanings assigned by their companions. Conclusion The treatment was experienced with distinct meanings by patients and their intimate partners, yet all converged on the perception of the experience as a limiting situation – one that not only tested their tolerance for pain and frustration but also forced them to confront the fragility of the human condition.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-166X2025000103106&lng=en&tlng=enBreast cancerBreast neoplasmsHomosexuality, femaleSexual and gender minoritiesWomen’s health |
| spellingShingle | Carolina de Souza Manoel Antônio dos Santos Meanings of breast cancer treatment for lesbian women and their intimate partners Estudos de Psicologia (Campinas) Breast cancer Breast neoplasms Homosexuality, female Sexual and gender minorities Women’s health |
| title | Meanings of breast cancer treatment for lesbian women and their intimate partners |
| title_full | Meanings of breast cancer treatment for lesbian women and their intimate partners |
| title_fullStr | Meanings of breast cancer treatment for lesbian women and their intimate partners |
| title_full_unstemmed | Meanings of breast cancer treatment for lesbian women and their intimate partners |
| title_short | Meanings of breast cancer treatment for lesbian women and their intimate partners |
| title_sort | meanings of breast cancer treatment for lesbian women and their intimate partners |
| topic | Breast cancer Breast neoplasms Homosexuality, female Sexual and gender minorities Women’s health |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-166X2025000103106&lng=en&tlng=en |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT carolinadesouza meaningsofbreastcancertreatmentforlesbianwomenandtheirintimatepartners AT manoelantoniodossantos meaningsofbreastcancertreatmentforlesbianwomenandtheirintimatepartners |