Evaluation of Preclinical and Postclinical Medical Faculty Students Attitudes Towards Breast Cancer and Knowledge of Disease Prevention

Year 2026, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 1 - 9, 09.03.2026

Gökhan Ağtürk , Baki Ekçi , Mehmet Aydın

https://doi.org/10.55549/zbs.1828289

https://izlik.org/JA52EY65GT

Abstract

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that can be prevented or treatment success can be increased with early diagnosis and awareness. In this context, our study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and preventive behaviours of students towards breast cancer by using the Scale of Factors Affecting Women's Breast Cancer Prevention Behaviors (ASSISTS) and the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test (CBCKT) scales and to create a basis for awareness-raising strategies in line with the data obtained. A cross-sectional study was conducted on female students in grades I-VI studying at Haliç University Faculty of Medicine. Participants voluntarily completed an online questionnaire. This included demographic information, the CBCKT and the ASSISTS scale. Differences between groups of students in preclinical education (years I-III) and clinical period (years IV-VI) were evaluated using Chi-Squared and ANOVA tests. Statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05. Clinical students had higher awareness of breast self-examination (BSE) (95.8% vs. 67.5%, p<0.001) and recognition of risk factors than preclinical students. It was found that motivation, self-care and self-efficacy scores were significantly higher in students who knew BSE (p<0.01). Clinical education plays an important role in improving breast cancer awareness and health behaviours. However, basic knowledge should be emphasized more strongly and false beliefs should be corrected in the preclinical period. Focusing educational programs on topics such as early detection, risk factors, and screening methods will increase students' individual health awareness and improve public health awareness. More comprehensive studies can support these results and provide guidance on how to improve the effectiveness of training programmes.

Keywords

Breast Cancer , Breast Cancer Awareness , Breast Cancer Knowledge Test

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Haliç University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Number: 92 Date: 25.04.2023).

Supporting Institution

Haliç University

Project Number

92

Thanks

Dear Editor, Our study, "Pre- and Post-Clinical Assessment of Medical School Students' Perspectives on Breast Cancer and Knowledge of Disease Prevention," is a survey conducted with medical school students. This study aimed to determine medical school students' knowledge and attitudes about breast cancer, along with the education they receive. We request your evaluation of our study and, if deemed appropriate, its publication. Thank you very much for your contributions and evaluations. Sincerely,

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