Cancer prevention awareness among young adult Polish females on the basis of the assessment of knowledge and health behaviours

Abstract

Introduction: The accelerating rate of incidence of malignant cancers inPolish women as compared to men and the higher mortality due to thesediseases as compared to other regions in Europe is an important medicaland social problem.Aim of the research: To attempt an assessment of cancer preventionawareness among young adult Polish females on the basis of the analysisof their knowledge as well as of the prevalence of negative healthbehaviours.Material and methods: The study was conducted in 270 young Polishfemales: students of nursing and pedagogy. The study was conducted usinga proprietary questionnaire, the Inventory of Health Behaviour, theFagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, and Nina Schenider's Motivationfor Quitting Smoking Test.Results: The highest percentages of negative behaviours included lowintake of fruit and vegetables (76.3%), whole-grain products (78.9%),and fish (93.3%), as well as tanning (56.7%) and smoking (37%) andhealth check behaviours (breast self-exams 60.7%, cervical cytologicalscreening 36%).Conclusions: Despite the relatively high level of knowledge, cancerrisk-related lifestyles and behaviours unfavourable for the possibilityof early diagnosis were observed among the subjects. The less favourablemodel of cognitive and behavioural competence in health and cancerprevention was observed at bachelor-level students of pedagogy at theages below 24 years. Development of skills and motivation for pro-healthbehaviours and the awareness of behaviour models presented by educatorsare, along with appropriate knowledge, the most desirable strategies forthe success of health education in the area of cancer prevention.