Journal of Clinical & Experimental Pathology
Open Access

Abstract

The health field has been witnessing a redefinition, which results in a rearrangement of the knowledge and skills of their agents. This evidence is expressed in variable degrees and points to a more diligent and informed attitude of patients in the management of their illnesses. However, this tendency does not display enough strength in order to interfere with the internal dynamics of health/ disease domain. Usually, the biomedical perspective aims to restore health but it does not incorporate the multiple features that the illness experience encloses throughout its extent. The starting point of this qualitative study was the oncological disease reported as a first person account. The pathology report was used as reference, since it establishes the diagnosis of malignancy and therefore patients� perception concerning the severity of their condition. In order to achieve this purpose, 100 interviews were conducted with patients who were followed on oncology consultations at two hospitals in Porto, Portugal. The project includes cancer booklets regarding the biomedical and experiential knowledge of breast, lung, colon, esophagus and prostate pathologies. Socio-biographical profile of the population was also collected so as to contextualize the information obtained from patient narratives in their social conditions, symbolic and material resources and paths of life. Time and resilience are key elements concerning the personal and social construction of cancer.

Biography

Email: psilva@ipatimup.pt