THE IMPORTANCE OF DISTRESS RESEARCH IN CANCER PATIENTS: INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the scientific evidence related to the importance of investigating distress in cancer patients and to describe nursing actions. Methodology: This is an integrative review study with a search conducted in the databases of Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Nursing Database, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online and Electronic Scientific Library Online, with the health descriptors “distress”, “nursing care” and “oncology”. Results and discussions: Scientific evidence points out that it is observed that the assessment of distress by professionals is still timid in Brazil services, however, its investigation in individuals with cancer is notorious, therefore, they point to a greater direction towards the end of life and in survivors of the disease. It is observed the interest of researchers in evaluating and validating an instrument that helps in the diagnosis of distress in individuals with cancer. Conclusions: The importance of the investigation of distress in oncology is notorious, however it is emphasized the need for research and discussions about it, and, therefore, for the implementation of the investigation of distress in the routine of health services by means of instruments. assessment in order to diagnose this suffering early and prevent its complications.