Examining women's knowledge and awareness levels of breast cancer by social determinants of health: The case of Çayyolu and Mamak KETEM

This study aims to evaluate women's knowledge and awareness levels of breast cancer in terms of the social determinants of health The study was conducted with 368 female participants who voluntarily participated and received services from Mamak and Çayyolu KETEMs, affiliated with the Ankara Provincial Health Directorate, Department of Public Health Services, between November 2024 and February 2025. Data were collected through face-to-face questionnaires, and IBM SPSS Statistics software was used for the analyses. When the sub-dimension scores of the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale were compared across the KETEMs, participants from Çayyolu KETEM had statistically significantly higher scores than those from Mamak KETEM in the sub-dimensions of knowledge about breast cancer risk factors, recognition of symptoms and signs, attitudes toward prevention, and health behaviors related to breast cancer awareness. However, no significant difference was found between the two groups in the sub-dimension of barriers to breast cancer screening In conclusion, significant differences were observed in the sub-dimensions of the scale according to education level, marital status, number of children, income level, regular income status, employment status, the main income earner in the household, health insurance, unmet healthcare needs due to payment and access difficulties, household size, home ownership, nutritional status, presence of chronic disease, smoking, having a healthcare professional in the family, breast ultrasound history and frequency, and receiving information or education on breast cancer screening. It is important that health professionals provide education and information to women regarding breast cancer and screening. Furthermore, the development of strategies and policies in this field may contribute to increasing women's knowledge and awareness of breast cancer.