The aim of this paper was to describe the economic and socio-demographic profile of cancer survivors, seen by the Oncology College Hospital Service of the Federal University of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, according to their degree of resilience. It is a descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out with 264 cancer survivors under medical evaluation from March to June 2010. Data collection occurred through interviews, application of the Brazilian version of Wagnild and Young's Resilience Scale and consultation of the patients' hospital notes. The results indicate the prevalence of females (67.8%), older adults (47.4%), married persons (52.6%), whites (83.3%) and those whose main income is benefits or pension (75.4%). The high degree of resilience was greater among men (47.1%), older adults (44.8%), single people (47.9%), non-whites (52.3%) and those employed (55.6%). It was ascertained that the characterization of this population is relevant, because it will contribute to identifying factors which promote high resilience.
Health profile; Surviving; Psychological resilience; Neoplasias
