Knowledge and Practices of Nurses Working in an Education Hospital on Early Diagnosis of Breast and Cervix Cancers.

Abstract

AIM: This research has aimed to determine knowledge and practice status of nurses about breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), mammography and Pap smear and about influencing status of some variables related to these examinations. METHOD: This descriptive study was conducted in an education hospital in Ankara between March 1st and May 30th, 2008. Three hundred-fifty nurses (82.7%) have accepted to participate in the study. Data were collected by a questionnaire form including questions about demographics, their knowledge and practice status about BSE, CBE, mammography and Pap smear. Chi-square test, numbers and percentages were used for evaluating the data. RESULTS: Overall, 46.9% of nurses had enough knowledge about early diagnosis of breast and cervix cancer. 60.2% of them can carry BSE, 18.8% can carry out CBE and 7.3% can carry out mammography. Pap smear is carried out by 23.7% of the nurses. Negligence, fear of cancer and thought of finding them unnecessary were determined as reasons for avoidance. Their knowledge and practice were significantly different (p<0.05) according to their age and service where they work. CONCLUSION: It has been concluded that although knowledge and practices of nurses on breast and cervix cancer are at a good level, this isn&#8217;t enough when importance of early diagnosis in breast and cervix cancer are taken into consideration, which are among common cancers in women. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2010; 9(6.000): 605-612

Awareness and Practices Regarding Breast and Cervical Cancer among Turkish Women in Gazientep

“…Cancer is a major public health problem both in our country and worldwide due to its disease burden, fatality and tendency for increased incidence (Ozdemir and Bilgili, 2010;Ersin and Bahar, 2012;Acikgoz and Ergor, 2013;Akgun Sahin et al, 2013). Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women with the highest fatality rates (Oluwatosin and Oladepo, 2006;Smith et al, 2006;Ozdemir et al, 2007;Montazeri et al, 2008;Habib et al, 2010;Amosu et al 2011;Sambanje and Mafuvadze, 2012;Shieh et al, 2012;Koca et al, 2013;Kratzke et al, 2013;Oztunc et al, 2013).…”

Evaluation of the Impact of Nurses’ Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors on Utilization from Breast Cancer Early Diagnosis Methods

“…In this respect, it is of great importance to de- termine the level of healthy lifestyle behaviors in health care professionals that may affect their knowledge and practices related to breast cancer, especially nurses who act as role models in the community (12,13). Healthy lifestyle behaviors aim to improve their own health, and to increase control over their health.…”

University Students’ Awareness of Breast and Cervical Cancers: A Comparison of Two Countries and Two Different Cultures

“…The Papanicolaou test (Pap smear), which is systematically used in the fight against cervical cancer, is an effective, low-cost, and highly sensitive early diagnostic method which is easy to apply and reduces the burden of the treatment, morbidity and mortality (2,11,12). Cervical cancer shows the benefit of early diagnosis best; developed countries report that invasive cervical cancer rates have been reduced with the use of routine Pap smear screening tests over the last 40-50 years (7,(13)(14)(15).…”

“…BSE (Breast Self-Exam), CBE (Clinical Breast Examination) and mammography are recommended for the early diagnosis of breast cancer (7)(8)(9)(10). Studies in Turkey show that breast cancer screenings have increased but are still not at the desired level (7,8).…”

“…BSE (Breast Self-Exam), CBE (Clinical Breast Examination) and mammography are recommended for the early diagnosis of breast cancer (7)(8)(9)(10). Studies in Turkey show that breast cancer screenings have increased but are still not at the desired level (7,8). The Papanicolaou test (Pap smear), which is systematically used in the fight against cervical cancer, is an effective, low-cost, and highly sensitive early diagnostic method which is easy to apply and reduces the burden of the treatment, morbidity and mortality (2,11,12).…”