LETTERS OF CARE: AN EDUCATIONAL DIALOG ABOUT BREAST CANCER WITH WOMEN IN PRIMARY CARE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the construction and application of the educational dynamic “Letters of Care”, aimed at promoting self-care and breast cancer prevention in Primary Health Care (PHC). The action was developed by nurses specializing in oncology, using illustrated thematic cards as devices to facilitate dialogue with women who use PHC in a municipality in Minas Gerais. The activity covered four areas: self-care, feelings and emotions, warning signs and myths or truths about breast cancer. 64 women took part, in an expository-dialog format, promoting critical reflection and knowledge sharing. The results showed the potential of active methodologies to stimulate female protagonism, broaden understanding of disease prevention and deconstruct misinformation. The participants gave a positive evaluation of the strategy, highlighting the accessible language, the welcoming atmosphere and the desire for the actions to continue. The conclusion is that the playful approach, centered on active listening and the sociocultural context of the participants, favors autonomy, the bond with the health team and the effectiveness of educational practices. The experience demonstrates the feasibility of replicating the methodology in other areas, reaffirming the importance of creative and inclusive practices in tackling breast cancer in PHC.