Introduction: In the world cervical cancer is the second most common malignant tumour among women, as well as the second most common cause of death. Most often this disease develops in women who are between 35 and 59 years old, i.e. at the time when many women raise children and are active professionally. There is a close correlation between the incidence of cervical cancer and lifestyle and the risk factors associated with it. Aim of the research: Evaluation of the influence of knowledge about risk factors for cervical cancer on health-related behaviours of women from the area of the Świętokrzyskie Region. Material and methods: The research material was obtained on the basis of a survey. The study was conducted among 108 randomly selected women in the age range 20 to 60 years. Results: Based on the studies, a significant correlation between the women's health-related behaviours and their age, level of knowledge, and awareness of belonging to the group at risk of cervical cancer was found. Conclusions: Among the respondents, older women showed more incorrect behaviours than younger women. It was also shown that the place of residence did not have an influence on health behaviour of the surveyed women. Respondents who participated in health education showed greater knowledge about the factors of cervical cancer than women not participating in the education. Women who were aware of belonging to the risk group for cervical cancer more often showed health-related behaviours. Streszczenie Wprowadzenie: Na świecie rak szyjki macicy jest drugim co do częstości występowania nowotworem złośliwym wśród kobiet, jak również przyczyną zgonów. Najczęściej występuje między 35. a 59. rokiem życia, czyli w momencie, kiedy wiele kobiet wychowuje dzieci i jest aktywnych zawodowo. Istnieje ścisła korelacja pomiędzy występowaniem raka szyjki macicy a stylem życia oraz związanymi z nim czynnikami ryzyka. Cel pracy: Ocena wpływu wiedzy dotyczącej czynników ryzyka wystąpienia raka szyjki macicy na zachowania prozdrowotne kobiet z terenu województwa świętokrzyskiego. Materiał i metodyka: Materiał badawczy uzyskano na podstawie ankiety. Badania przeprowadzono wśród 108 losowo wybranych kobiet w wieku 20-60 lat. Wyniki: Stwierdzono istotną korelację między zachowaniami prozdrowotnymi kobiet a ich wiekiem, posiadaną przez nie wiedzą i świadomością przynależności do grupy ryzyka zachorowania na raka szyjki macicy. Wnioski: Wśród ankietowanych starsze kobiety przejawiały więcej zachowań nieprawidłowych niż młodsze. Wykazano również, że miejsce zamieszkania nie wpływa na zachowanie zdrowotne badanych kobiet. Respondentki, które brały udział w edukacji zdrowotnej, mają większą wiedzę na temat czynników raka szyjki macicy od kobiet nieuczestniczących w edukacji. Kobiety świadome przynależności do grupy ryzyka wystąpienia raka szyjki macicy częściej przejawiają zachowania prozdrowotne.

Introduction: The problem of cancer is becoming epidemic in the world. Despite many campaigns that promote prophylaxis, the number of women dying of cervical carcinoma is still high. Broadly defined health education aimed at detecting the disease at an early stage should be an important point of the cervical carcinoma prophylaxis program. Aim of the research: To determine the level of awareness of women surveyed in the context of the risk factors and an analysis of health behaviours. Material and methods: The study was conducted among 108 randomly selected women living in Świętokrzyskie province. The women were between the ages of 20 and 60 years. Results: The study showed that the respondents were able to read properly the causes of the risk of cervical carcinoma, but only about 30% went to a gynaecologist for prophylactic measures. Thirty percent of the respondents had cytology regularly done. Only 8% of the women in the studied group accepted an invitation to screening examinations. The majority of the surveyed women knew the risk factors for cervical carcinoma but they did not translate their knowledge into health behaviours. Most of the respondents did not have regular cytological examinations done. The majority of the surveyed women did not have screening examinations done. Conclusions: Therefore, it is necessary to multiply efforts within the actions preventing cervical carcinoma, and promote a healthy lifestyle and pro-health education.