Evaluation of Breast Cancer Knowledge Levels Among Women: The Example of Eskişehir Province

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the breast cancer knowledge levels of women aged 18–64 years living in Eskişehir and to evaluate the relationship between risk levels and sociodemographic characteristics, health history, and screening behaviors. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among women who attended family health centers between September and October 2018. The sample size was calculated as 993 using a 95% confidence level, a 1% margin of error, and a design effect of 1.5, and a cluster sampling method was applied. Breast cancer risk was assessed using the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Form developed by the American Cancer Society, while knowledge level was evaluated with a 30-item scale developed by the researchers. Statistical analyses included the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman correlation analysis, and hierarchical linear regression analysis (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The mean age of the participants was 42.7 ± 12.9 years, and the mean breast cancer knowledge score was 19 ± 5.7. Knowledge levels were significantly higher among women with higher educational attainment, better family income, and those who were employed. In addition, women with a history of benign breast disease, those who had previously received information about breast cancer, those performing breast self-examination, those who were aware of mammography, and those undergoing regular mammography screening had significantly higher knowledge scores. Conclusion: Breast cancer knowledge level is closely associated with education, socioeconomic status, and screening behaviors. Structured and practice-oriented educational programs targeting women—particularly those in disadvantaged groups—may contribute to improving breast cancer awareness.

Keywords

• awareness
• Breast cancer
• knowledge level
• mammography
• screening

Kadınların Meme Kanseri Bilgi Düzeylerinin Değerlendirmesi: Eskişehir İli Örneği

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmada Eskişehir’de yaşayan 18–64 yaş arası kadınların meme kanseri bilgi düzeylerinin belirlenmesi, risk düzeyleri ile sosyodemografik özellikler, sağlık öyküsü ve tarama davranışları arasındaki ilişkinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlandı. Yöntem: Kesitsel tipteki bu araştırma, Eylül–Ekim 2018 tarihleri arasında aile sağlığı merkezlerine başvuran kadınlarda yürütüldü. Örneklem büyüklüğü %95 güven düzeyi, %1 hata payı ve 1,5 tasarım etkisi ile 993 olarak hesaplandı ve kümeli örnekleme yöntemi kullanıldı. Meme kanseri riski, Amerikan Kanser Derneği tarafından geliştirilen Meme Kanseri Risk Değerlendirme Formu ile; bilgi düzeyi ise araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen 30 maddelik ölçek ile değerlendirildi. İstatistiksel analizlerde Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, Spearman korelasyon ve hiyerarşik lineer regresyon analizleri kullanıldı (p≤0,05). Bulgular: Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 42,7±12,9 yıl olup meme kanseri bilgi puanı ortalaması 19±5,7 olarak bulundu. Öğrenim düzeyi yüksek, aile gelir durumu iyi ve çalışan kadınlarda bilgi düzeyi daha yüksekti. Ayrıca memeye ilişkin benign hastalık öyküsü bulunan, daha önce meme kanseri hakkında bilgi alan,kendi kendine meme muayenesi yapan, mamografi yöntemini bilen ve düzenli mamografi çektiren kadınların bilgi puanları anlamlı olarak daha yüksekti. Sonuç: Meme kanseri bilgi düzeyi; eğitim, sosyoekonomik durum ve tarama davranışları ile yakından ilişkilidir. Kadınlara yönelik yapılandırılmış ve uygulama odaklı eğitim programlarının, özellikle dezavantajlı gruplara yönlendirilmesi meme kanseri farkındalığının artırılmasına katkı sağlayabilir.

Keywords

• farkındalık
• Meme kanseri
• bilgi düzeyi
• mamografi
• tarama

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