The relationship between cancer information burden, attitudes, and behaviors toward cancer screenings in women aged 30–70 years

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cancer information burden, attitudes, and behaviors toward cancer screening in women aged 30–70 years who applied to family health centers. METHODS: The data were collected with Personal Information Form, Attitude Scale for Cancer Screening, and Cancer Information Overload Scale from 398 women. RESULTS: The mean score of the participants was 16.22±4.66 on the Cancer Information Overload Scale and 93.05±13.80 on the Attitude Scale for Cancer Screening. A statistically significant difference was found between the mean scores of the women according to their educational level, occupational status, knowledge about cancer screening, and the presence of cancer in themselves or their families (p<0.05). In addition, a strong positive but statistically insignificant correlation (r=0.061, p=0.223) was found between the Cancer Information Overload Scale and the scores of the Attitude Scale for Cancer Screening. CONCLUSION: Women had low rates of knowing the timing of colon, cervical, and breast cancer screenings, having been screened, and thinking of participating in screenings in the following year. In order to improve women’s attitudes toward early diagnosis of cancer in a positive way, informative public education activities should be continued.