Examination of the fear of cancer and affected factors of nurses working in the field of oncology

ÖZER, Cihan. Examination of the Fear of Cancer and Affected Factors of Nurses Working in the Field of Oncology, (Master's Thesis), Çankırı, 2025. The aim of this study is to examine the fear of developing cancer among nurses working in the field of oncology and the factors influencing it. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted between April 22, 2024, and July 20, 2024, with 221 nurses working in the field of oncology at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital. Data were collected face-to-face using a sociodemographic characteristics information form and the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS). SPSS 29.0 software was used for data analysis. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test, t-test, one-way ANOVA test for categorical variables, and multiple linear regression tests. The mean CWS score for nurses was 17.11±4.81. When cancer fear level was taken as the dependent variable, the entire model was found to be statistically significant, and this model explained 19% of the attitude toward cancer screening. The factors affecting cancer fear level were found to be having a bachelor's degree (=.125), unhealthy eating (=.137), smoking (18.01±4.86), and fear of getting cancer due to cancer incidence (=.345). It was determined that cancer fear decreases as education level increases and healthy eating habits are followed, and increases with smoking and rising cancer incidence. The results indicate that nurses working in the field of oncology experience fear of developing cancer and that the level of cancer fear is related to socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and fear of developing cancer.