Determination of Gynecologic Cancer Awareness and Attitudes Towards Screening in Women Aged 20–65

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b><br /> Gynecological cancers are among the top ten cancers in terms of mortality and incidence among women in our country. Enhancing awareness is crucial to reducing the morbidity and mortality of these cancers. Women with increased awareness are more likely to have positive attitudes towards cancer screenings and to undergo such tests, thereby lowering their risk. Study aims to assess gynecological cancer awareness, attitudes towards screenings, and influencing factors among women aged 20-65.<br /> <b>Material and methods: </b><br /> This descriptive and correlation study's population comprised 5,504 female patients in the gynecology and obstetrics, a sample of 272 patients was selected. Data were collected through a patient information form, a gynecological cancer awareness scale, and a cancer screening attitudes scale, and analyzed with SPSS.<br /> <b>Results:</b><br /> The participants had an average age of 29.00 ± 5.942. Of them, 94.5% were married, 96% had not received gynecological cancer education previously, and 90.1% had not undergone cancer screening before. Non-smokers and those who had received gynecologic cancer education before had statistically higher mean total scale scores (p<0,05). Those with higher education, employed individuals, regular exercisers, those who had previously received gynecological cancer education, and those who had previously undergone cancer screenings had statistically higher average scores on the cancer screening attitude scale (p<0,05).<br /> <b>Conclusion:</b><br /> It was found that women's attitudes toward cancer screenings and their awareness of gynecological cancers were above average. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between awareness and attitude. This result shows that women with increased awareness of gynaecological cancers also have positive attitudes towards cancer screening. Therefore, women should be educated on how to prevent gynaecological cancers through not smoking, education, employment and regular exercise.