Women with breast cancer: social issue and chemotherapy treatment in an oncological unit in the agreste Pernambuco, Brazil

Objective: To analyze the expressions of the social issue, mentioned by women diagnosed with malignant breast cancer. Methodology: This is a qualitative study, based on the critical-dialectic method. Results: From the diagnosis of breast cancer, the expression of the Social Question in the lives of these women intensifies, for several reasons; for not having social policies that guarantee access, effectiveness, and continuation of treatment. Conclusion: The phenomena that affect women make them more vulnerable during chemotherapy, limiting their possibilities and their autonomy, especially when they are heads of households, which in this study represented 52% of women.