Education and Health in Women With Cervical Cancer

Introduction: Cervical neoplasms constitute a significant public health problem on a global scale. According to the National Cancer Institute, this pathology is the third most prevalent type of cancer among women in Brazil, and the second most incident neoplasm in the North and Northeast regions. Estimates for each year of the 2023-2025 triennium point to approximately 17,010 new cases, with a gross incidence rate of 15.38 cases per 100,000 women. Health education emerges as a fundamental strategy in promoting healthy behaviors and building critical awareness of the health-disease process, considering individual and collective particularities. Objective: To evaluate the effect of health education on the level of quality of life, physical activity, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, nutrition, and pain in women with cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: This is a clinical trial with cervical cancer patients. The sample will be randomly distributed into two groups: the Health Education Recommendations Group (HERG) and the Control Group (CG), which will remain under usual care. The intervention will last 12 weeks, during which the HERG will receive health education recommendations through face-to-face meetings and via social media. The variables in this study are the participants' sociodemographic and clinical profile, lifestyle, sedentary behavior, level of physical activity, nutrition, self-esteem, anxiety and depression, quality of life, and pain. The variables of interest will be evaluated at baseline, after 6 and 12 weeks through multivariate analysis, comparing the effects of group, time, and interaction of both. Analyses will be performed using SPSS version 24.0 software, with a significance level of 5%. Expected results: Lifestyle change in at least two addressed areas. The developed material contributes to the scientific literature through the creation of textbooks, articles, and by offering valuable insights into the effectiveness of health education strategies. Future research can expand this work, adapting it to other populations or contexts to maximize its impact.

Sex

Female

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Women aged 18 or older;
* Diagnosed with cervical cancer;
* Undergoing cervical cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or hormone therapy);
* Having daily access to a smartphone.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having another type of cancer;
* Undertake physical training for three months prior to the intervention;
* Have a medical contraindication to perform any type of physical activity;
* Have a "yes" answer on the PAR-Q and a medical contraindication;
* Not be mentally capable of using a smartphone or answering the research questionnaires;