Determining the knowledge levels and practices of women applyi̇ng for breast cancer screening on breast cancer and screening

Since breast cancer is the first among all cancers, it causes serious concerns in women. ‎ This study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge and practices of women applying for breast cancer screening about breast cancer and screening. This study is of descriptive cross-sectional type and its population consists of women who applied to Al-Hussein State Training Hospital Breast Cancer Center in Iraq for breast cancer screening. This study was conducted with 130 women who applied to Al-Hussein State Training Hospital Breast Cancer Center in Iraq between February 1, 2022 and August 31, 2022. The data of the study were collected by face-to-face interview method, using a questionnaire containing questions about women's socio-demographic characteristics and breast cancer screening and practices. Frequency analysis (number, percentage, mean), Independent Sample t-test and One Way ANOVA analyzes were used in the analysis of the data collected within the scope of the research. In the study, it was determined that 26.4% of the women were between the ages of 46-55, 83.7% were married, 53.1% were housewives, 30.8% had undergraduate education, 53.1% were between 1-5 years old. had children, 85.4% had breastfeeding experience, 36.2% breastfed between 13-18 months, 84.6% had their first menstruation between the ages of 11-14 and 65.1% did not enter menopause detected. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between breast cancer screening according to the age, education level and income of the women. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between breast cancer applications according to the age, occupation and income status of women. In addition, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the breast cancer knowledge levels of women according to their education and income level, occupation and smoking status. It is recommended that necessary counseling be given to women by health professionals in order to increase women's knowledge about breast cancer screening and its practices and to expand screening practices.