Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding breast and cervical cancer among women in western Turkey

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding breast and cervical cancer and screening methods among women living western Turkey. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was administered to women aged ≥21 years. Data were collected using a 12-item questionnaire measuring women's knowledge, attitudes, and practice levels, including among participants who were health workers. RESULTS: A total 668 women were included in the study. The average age was 37.48 ± 11.85 years. Most women had a primary-level education (43.4%) and most (50.3%) were homemakers; 27.1% of participants were health care workers. The differences in age, education, and occupation among participants were evaluated according to whether participants perform breast self-examination and have undergone Pap testing. The distribution of women according to age group showed that with increased age, the frequency of performing these two behaviors decreased, with women over 55 years old accounting for a significantly higher proportion than other age groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding breast and cervical cancers among women was similar to that in previous studies and was higher than expected, especially among women who were health workers. However, all women had inadequate frequency of performing screening tests.