INTEGRATIVE REVIEW: CONTRIBUTIONS OF NURSING IN THE IMPACT OF CANCER DIAGNOSIS IN THE ELDERLY

Abstract

Introduction: The natural aging process carries numerous challenges, in this sense, having stable mental health makes it easier to deal with these challenges and develop coping strategies, as well as to help after the diagnosis of diseases, such as cancer. Objective: To identify the main psychological problems in the lives of the elderly after the diagnosis of cancer.  Method: Integrative literature review, using controlled descriptors. The databases were Medical Literature and Retrieval System onLine via the National Library of Medicine; Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences and Nursing Databases. The search was carried out with original articles in full, published in Portuguese and English, from 1994 onwards. Results: Based on the texts, the following psychological impacts on the elderly after cancer diagnosis were identified, namely: anxiety, anguish, aggression, suicidal behavior, depression, chronic stress, fatigue, uncertainty, bad mood, fear, anger, trauma and sadness. They were related and the most prevalent are anxiety and depression. Final Considerations: It is concluded that among the psychological impacts that affect the elderly, there are several factors that can intensify, such as: gender, age, race, existing comorbidities, the type of cancer and the type of treatment, thus making them more vulnerable to mental health problems.