Percepções de idosos que vivenciaram o câncer na velhice e as repercussões no envelhecimento saudável

Abstract

Introduction: World and Brazilian aging is predictable and growing, as there is evidence of a transition in the demographic and epidemiological composition of the population, bringing great challenges and impacts at a social, health and economic level. In addition to physiological transformations, cultural and social influences can be mentioned, or even disabling diseases that occupy an important place in changes throughout aging. Among them, cancer is mentioned, which mainly affects the elderly, being one of the main causes of death worldwide. Objective: to understand the perceptions of the elderly about the experience of cancer in old age and its repercussions on healthy aging. Methods: exploratory, descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Participants were 10 elderly people of both sexes, with recent or retroactive diagnosis of one of the types of cancer, residing in the South region of Brazil, selected by the “snowball” method. Data collection took place through questions related to health, living with cancer and aging, through a video call on the WhatsApp® application, between June and September 2022. The data were organized and analyzed using content analysis. Results: in the organization of the data, two categories emerged, namely: 1) Experiences of cancer in old age: feelings in the diagnosis, acceptance of the diagnosis, overcoming, isolation, support from family, friends and church, faith. 2) Repercussions of cancer in old age: self-care, prevention of cancer recurrence, optimism, valuing life, difficulties. Final considerations: the experience of cancer in old age, in view of the perception of the elderly, permeated the feeling of fear and strong impact, especially regarding the initial diagnosis. They had a support network that was the basis for accepting and overcoming the challenges that came with the disease, in addition to having faith and spirituality as allies. Faced with the repercussions of cancer, they highlighted the use and appreciation of self-care and life, especially after being affected by cancer.