Access to breast cancer care in a municipality in Bahia: the perspective of users, workers and managers

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the access of women with breast cancer to health care services in a medium-sized municipality in the interior of Bahia, from the perspective of users, workers and managers. This is a case study with a qualitative approach, carried out with women diagnosed with breast cancer, both in urban and rural areas. In addition, primary health care workers of medium and high complexity and municipal managers participated. The results were presented in two categories: Organization of the breast cancer care network and Access to breast cancer care in the health care network. In the first, the lack of a line of care for breast cancer stands out, insufficient health financing and fragility in the mechanisms of integration of the care network. In the second, ineffective mammographic screening, focusing on breast cancer care in the Pink October and difficulty accessing the exams and specialized procedures, such as consultation with a mastologist and breast puncture/biopsy. The plurality of evaluated perspectives allowed observing important gaps in the constitution of the care network for women with breast cancer, in which organizational problems feedback with those related to the care provided.