Breast cancer pathways: gender relations in the biomedical field of Ecuador

Abstract

After the diagnosis of breast cancer women commonly begin a long term relationship with the biomedical field and are exposed to treatments that transform their bodies. The objective of this article is to analyze the discourses, practices, relationships and biomedical interactions around breast cancer between health professionals and patients who have undergone a radical mastectomy or a quadrantectomy. To achieve this objective, a qualitative approach was used and twenty episodic-narrative interviews were conducted with women diagnosed with breast cancer, sixteen semi-structured interviews with health professionals and twelve participant observations in the health sector with eight of the interviewed women. The research was carried out in Quito-Ecuador and it was concluded that biomedical relationships are based on a doctor-patient hierarchy that subordinates the latter by virtue of categories such as gender and social class.