The Determination of Knowledge Levels of Women about the Prevention of Gynecological Cancers

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this research was to determine the knowledge level of women in the prevention of gynecological cancers. Methods: This descriptive research was conducted with 420 women from May to June 2022. Introductory Information Form and Gynecological Cancer Prevention Information Scale were used to collect of data. Results: The total mean score of the Gynecological Cancer Prevention Information Scale was 14.84±7.90 (min:0, max:35). As a result of this research, it was determined that women's knowledge of protection from gynecological cancers was close to the middle level. This situation was affected by variables such as age, education level, employment status, income level, alcohol use, age of first pregnancy, age of first sexual intercourse, thinking that female cancer is preventable, having regular gynecological examinations, and knowing about cancer screenings. Conclusion: Women's knowledge of prevention from gynecological cancer was not at the expected level. It is essential to emphasize the importance of cancer prevention and early diagnosis in order to reduce cancer-related death rates in the society.

Keywords

• Gynecological cancer
• cancer prevention
• level of knowledge

References

1. World Health Organization (WHO). (2018a). Cancer prevention. Cancer. Available from: http://www.who.int/cancer/prevention/ en/
2. World Health Organization (WHO). (2018b). Cervical Cancer. Available from: Cervical cancer (who.int)
3. World Health Organization (WHO). (2014). Cancer country profiles 2014. Cancer. Available from: http://www.who.int/cancer/ country-profiles/en/
4. Turkey General Directorate of Public Health Turkey Cancer Statistics (2021,10 December): Available from: https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/depo/birimler/kanserdb/istatistik/Turkiye_Kanser_Istatistikleri_2017.pdf [Türkiye Halk Sağlığı Genel Müdürlüğü]. Türkiye Kanser İstatistikleri. https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/depo/birimler/kanserdb/istatistik/Turkiye_Kanser_Istatistikleri_2017.pdf. [10 Aralık 2021].
5. Eroglu K, & Koc G. Gynecological cancer control and nursing. Journal of Hacettepe University Faculty of Nursing 2014; 1:77−90.
6. Evcili F, & Bekar M. Prevention of gynecological cancers: the affecting factors and knowledge levels of Turkish women. Journal of Health Research 2020;34(5): 431-441.
7. Bekar, M, Guler H, Evcili F, Demirel G, & Duran O. Determining the knowledge of women and their attitudes regarding gynecological cancer prevention. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013; 14(10): 6055−6059.
8. Okumus H, Cicek O, & Tokat MA. Current situation in gynecological oncology nursing. Journal of Women’s Health Nursing 2015; 2(2): 1−12.

9. Sekse RJT, Gjengedal E, & Råheim M. Living in a changed female body after gynecological cancer. Health Care for Women International 2013; 34(1): 14–33.
10. 10.Sekse RJT, Hufthammer KO, & Vika ME. Sexual activity and functioning in women treated for gynaecological cancer. Journal of Clinical Nursing 2017; 26(3-4), 400–410.
11. Hacıvelioğlu D. & Demirci H. Health Education Activities the Midwives in the Primary Health Care Services Towards Protection and Promotion of Women’s Health. Health and Society 2022;32(2): 49-60.
12. Karakut Ş. & Kabalcıoğlu FB. Women’s Health Nursing In Turkey And In The World. Gevher Nesibe Journal Of Medical And Health Sciences, 2022; 6(13):46–51. Https://Doi.Org/10.6648/Gnj.231
13. Weston C, Page R, Jones-Schubart K, & Akinlotan M. Improving cancer screening for underserved women through an FNP Student-Led Clinic. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners 2018; 14(5), e101-e104.
14. Atlas B, & Güneri SE. (2022). Women’s Awareness of Gynecological Cancers and Factors Affecting Awareness. Journal of Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Health Sciences 2022; 7(1): 77-85.
15. Gözüyeşil E, Düzgün AA, Taş F. Evaluation of Gynecological Cancer Awareness of Women’s Applying for A Family Health Center. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 2020;14 (2): 177-185.
16. Kaya DŞ, Polat F. & Doğan M. Gynecological Cancer Awareness: Reproductive Age and Postmenopausal Women [Jinekolojik Kanser Farkındalığı: Üreme Çağı ve Postmenopozal Dönem Kadınlar]. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 2021; 15(1): 56-62 . DOI: 10.21763/tjfmpc.805231
17. Bekar M, Demirel G, Evcili F, & Doğaner A. A Scale Development Study: Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Information Scale. Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences 2021;11:1-8. doi: 10.33808/clinexphealthsci.647862
18. Akkoyun H. Gynecological Complaints and Their Solutions of Women and The Relatıonshıp Between Knowledge and Practıces on Preventıon of Gynecologıcal Cancers [Master Thesis, Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü]. Yök Tez Merkezi 2020. https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezDetay.jsp?id=FXDNQM0wkyg-Mx4Ax0diTA&no=AXi6hYI-sW8hIvrviESY7Q
19. Teskereci G, Arslan ÜÖ, & Öncel S. The awareness levels of women for gynecologic cancer in Turkey: A cross-sectional study. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2022;156(3), 539-545. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.13745.
20. Özcan H, & Doğan MD. Gynecological Cancer Awareness Among Women. Indian Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2021; 19:1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40944-020-00481-w
21. Öztürk, R, Bakir S, Kazankaya F, Paker S, & Ertem G. Awareness about Gynecologic Cancers and Related Factors among Healthy Women: A Cross-Sectional Study, Social Work in Public Health 2021; 36(7-8): 847-856. https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2021.1965936
22. Nagorska M, Alp ND, Ejder SA, Lesinska-Sawicka M, Capik C. Psychometric properties and cultural adaptation of Polish version of Gynecological Cancers Awareness Scale (GCAS). Ginekologia Polska 2022; 93(9):695-704. doi: 10.5603/GP.a2021.0191.
23. Turkey General Directorate of Public Health Serviks Kanseri Tarama Programı Ulusal Standartları (2022, May 12). Available from: https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/kanser-tarama-standartlari/listesi/serviks-kanseri-tarama-program%C4%B1-ulusal-standartlar%C4%B1.html [Türkiye Halk Sağlığı Genel Müdürlüğü]. Serviks Kanseri Tarama Programı Ulusal Standartları. https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/kanser-tarama-standartlari/listesi/serviks-kanseri-tarama-program%C4%B1-ulusal-standartlar%C4%B1.html. [12 Mayıs 2022].
24. Yılmaz B, Hat BN, Yürekli Y. & Oskay Ü. Knowledge And Attıtude Of Young Adults On HPV Infectıon And HPV Vaccine: An Analytıcal Cross-Sectıonal Study. Journal of Health Sciences of Kocaeli University 2021;7(2):138-148 . DOI: 10.30934/kusbed.874847
25. Akın B, Aksoy YE, & Karakuş Ö. Women's Pap Smear Test Status, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Attitudes Towards Early Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer [Kadınların Pap Smear Testi Yaptırma Durumu, Sağlıklı Yaşam Biçimi Davranışları ve Servikal Kanserin Erken Tanısına Yönelik Tutumları. Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi 2022; 9(2): 273-282.
26. Teskereci G, Öncel S, & Arslan ÜÖ. Evaluation of the Women Attending Vocational Courses in Terms of Risk Factors and Early Warning Signs Related to Gynaecological Cancers. STED 2020;29(4): 229-238.
27. Şahin D, & Sayın NC. Knowledge, attı̇tude and behavior about gynecologı̇c cancers in women admı̇tted to and healthcare staff working at the state hospital in Kırklareli. Indian Journal of Applied Research 2015; 5(3), 294-297.
28. Dal NA, Gümüşsoy S, & Ertem G. Analysis of awareness of gynaecological cancers İn women using social media, Psychology, Health & Medicine 2021; 1:1-8. DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2021.1996616.
29. Ayhan A, Durukan T, & Günalp S. Temel Kadın Hastalıkları ve Doğum Bilgisi. 2nd ed. Ankara: Güneş Tıp Kitapevi; 2008.
30. Taşkın, L. Doğum ve Kadın Sağlığı Hemşireliği. 17th ed. Ankara: Akademisyen Tıp Kitabevi; 2021.