ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the social representations of chemotherapy and the experiences built by people with cancer. Method: Descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Data collection occurred between August and December 2016, through interviews with 29 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at an institution in the northern part of Paraná State, and the Thematic-Categorical Content Analysis. Results: Four categories have emerged denoting attitudes, feelings and experiences associated with chemotherapy and the need for reconstruction of daily life, permeated by the distancing of social life and work. At the same time, we note the close ties with friends and family, as well as adaptive strategies, new meanings of experiences lived and life priority setting. Final considerations: Cancer represents an interruption of plans and dreams, modifying everyday tasks and generating new experiences. This process facilitates giving a new meaning to the past and the reconstruction of subjectivity.