Knowledge, attitudes and behavior towards cancer screening: municipal employees example

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most important public health problems all over the world and in Turkey. This situation continues to grow globally every day, placing serious physical, emotional and financial pressure on individuals, families, society and the healthcare system. Studies to be carried out to increase social awareness in terms of cancer are crucial. The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of Ankara's central district municipality employees towards community-based cancer screenings within the scope of cancer control programs. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 254 people who worked in a central district municipality in Ankara and agreed to participate. 16.9% of the participants stated that they had cancer screening. Of those who had cancer screening, 63.6% stated that they had it done in the hospital, 29.6% in KETEMs (Kanser Erken Teşhis, Tarama ve Eğitim Merkezi, Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening and Education Centers), 6.8% in a doctor's office, and 1.6% stated that they were diagnosed with cancer. The median of the scores the participants received from the attitude scale is 92.0 (52.0-120.0). 30.3% of the participants stated that they had previously received training on cancer and 23.6% on cancer screening methods. Although the attitudes of participants towards cancer screenings were positive, the level of participation in screenings was found to be quite low. Education is essential in gaining positive attitudes and behaviors towards cancer and cancer screenings. It is extremely important that healthcare professionals provide training on cancer to create positive changes in screening behavior. In order to create positive changes in screening behavior, those who provide cancer education must be healthcare professionals.

Keywords

• Cancer
• Cancer screenings
• attitude
• Behavior

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