Gynecological cancer awareness and attitudes toward cancer screening: A descriptive and correlational study among nurses

TL;DR

This study explores how well nurses in Turkey understand gynecological cancers and their attitudes toward cancer screening, finding that awareness and attitudes are moderate but could be improved.

Contribution

The study provides insights into factors influencing nurses' awareness and attitudes toward gynecological cancer screening in Turkey.

Findings

Nurses had an average awareness score of 159.46 and a moderate attitude score of 76.51 toward cancer screening.

Age, work experience, and family cancer history significantly influenced awareness and attitudes.

Awareness and attitudes were not at optimal levels despite nurses being key health professionals.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine nurses’ awareness of gynecological cancer, identify influencing factors, and assess their attitudes toward cancer screening.

A cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study was conducted with 230 female nurses at a state hospital in Turkey between January to June 2024. Data were obtained using a Demographic Information Form, the Gynecological Cancer Awareness Scale (GCAS), and the Attitudes Towards Cancer Screening Scale (ATCS). Numbers, percentages, means, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear hierarchical regression analysis were used to evaluate the data.

The GCAS score of the nurses was 159.46±21.39, whereas the ATCS score was 76.51±14.03. The difference between the GCAS score and the ATCS score and the variables of age, working time in the profession, menopausal status, family history of cancer and gynecological cancer, and participation in cancer screening were found to be significant (p<0.05). The results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that socio-demographic variables (age, working time in the profession, etc.) and cancer-related characteristics (family history of gynecological cancer, cancer screening, etc.) and attitudes towards cancer screening were significant predictors of awareness of gynecological cancer.

Nurses’ awareness of gynecological cancer was above average, and attitudes toward screening were moderate. However, nurses’ awareness and attitudes towards gynecological cancers were not at the desired level because they are professional members who can lead society in gynecological cancer awareness and cancer screening.