Abstract

RIZO VAZQUEZ, Anaysa Cristina; GASCA HERNANDEZ, Elisa; MOLINA LUIS, Marlén  and  DIAZ TORRES, Niurka Virginia. Palliative care with a bioethical approach for advanced breast cancer at the primary health care. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2012, vol.38, n.4, pp. 591-601. ISSN 0864-3466.

Objective: to contribute raising the level of information on the inclusion of bioethical approach in the palliative care for advanced breast cancer patients at the primary health care. Methods: the articles published in domestic journals from 2008 to 2011 as well as the national and regional databases were reviewed. The key words for the search in titles, abstracts and full texts were advanced breast cancer, primary health care, bioethics, palliative care and terminally-ill. Results: palliative care is among the four cancer control components which are recommended by the WHO to reduce morbidity, mortality and to improve the quality of life of patients. The family physician and nurse can detect the occurrence of tumoral lesions at onset in persons living in the community, in addition to providing continuous care from the time of diagnosis to death if it happens. The palliative care fills the gap existing in the Comprehensive Program for the Cancer Control, as a requirement of the oncological service of the Cuban health care system. The comprehensive care to the advanced cancer patient involves the control of symptoms, the alleviation of pain, the ethical reflection on the end of the human life, the appropriate attention to the process of death of the patient and to the family's mourning. Conclusions: there is lack of information to develop the bioethical-evaluative thought that includes the bioethical approach of the palliative care for the advanced breast cancer patients.

Keywords : palliative care; advanced breast cancer; bioethical approach; primary health care; Cuba.

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