Breast cancer's causality analyzed through the health belief model

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore the beliefs of a group of women regarding the causality of their breast cancer. Cultural Anthropology was the theoretical framework and Oral History the methodological choice. Interviews were performed with nine women who had been submitted to a mastectomy. The Health Beliefs Model was used as conceptual reference for a better understanding and explanation of these women's health behavior. The results highlighted certain aspects that need to be worked on in the educational process of women, in a more significant cultural context, with a higher chance of adherence to early diagnosis programs of breast cancer.