Ambulatorial report of Brazilian nurses of the National Institute of Cancer: breast cancer women with malignant fungating wounds

Introduction and aims:  In Brazil, the National Cancer Institute found that about 20% of women affected by breast cancer who are treated in its a palliative care unit have malignant fungating wounds. Research on this type of wounds are still scarce in the international literature. However these wounds are impacting negatively on the quality of life of patients, and the complexity of its topical therapy raises doubts among nurses and high costs for the health system. This study aimed to identify the perceptions of nurses who come to the topic of care malignant wounds in women with breast cancer. Methods: This is an observational study, descriptive, qualitative approach which used the focal group strategy, interview if applying semiestructured. Five nurses working in Wound Care Clinic Ambulatorial participated in the study, after approval by the Ethics Committee Research of the institution under protocol number CEP 132/09. Data analysis was performed by categorizing Bardin. Results: After analyzing the interviews we observed the formation of three categories: clinical practice as subspecialty oncologist nurse; formation of bonds (patient-nurse) in the ambulatory space; malignant fungating wound as disfigurement of the body and women's self-esteem and challenging and frustrating care for nurses, notes that contribute for care nursing practice. Conclusion: It was concluded that there is need for increased expertise in oncological nursing on malignant neoplastic wounds and palliative care, including conducting interactive group research, the possibility of early realization of hygienic mastectomy, professional involvement, technical skill, autonomy and collaborative work with the health team for the best performance of the nurses in favor their patients.