Attitudes and behaviours of individuals applying to family health centres in central districts of denizli province towards cancer screenings and related factors

Attitudes and behaviours of individuals applying to family health centres towards cancer screening and related factors Cancer is a term for a broad group of diseases that can also be called malignant tumours and can affect any part of the body. Cancer is an increasing public health problem worldwide and is a major cause of death. With appropriate strategies, it is possible to prevent about half of cancers. One of these strategies is screening, which enables cancer to be detected at an early stage. The usefulness of screening programmes depends on public acceptance and high participation. In this study, it was aimed to determine the attitudes of individuals applying to family health centres towards cancer screening, factors affecting attitudes and screening behaviours. The population of the cross-sectional study consisted of individuals who applied to family health centres in Pamukkale and Merkezefendi districts, which are the central districts of Denizli province. As a data collection tool, a 63-question questionnaire form questioning the sociodemographic characteristics of the participant and the factors related to the attitude towards cancer screening was applied. Attitude towards cancer screening was measured using the 24-item Attitude towards Cancer Screening Scale. SPSS 17.0 programme was used for data analysis. Linear regression analysis (backward) was used to determine the independent factors associated with attitudes towards cancer screening. In the study, 546 people were reached. 71.9% of the participants were female. Among female participants, 46.3% had never had a mammogram and 39.8% had never had a pap smear test. 84.6% of the participants had never had a colonoscopy. According to the regression analysis, it was found that attitudes towards cancer screening were more positive as age increased, among those who were not single, had high school education or higher, were employed, had no chronic disease, had a history of cancer, thought that they had a balanced and healthy diet, considered the risk of breast cancer as moderate or high, and knew about KETEM. We believe that the Ministry of Health, provincial and district health directorates, family health centres and KETEMs have a role in improving attitudes towards cancer screening. Keywords: cancer, screening, attittude