Determination of university students awareness for risk factors of cancer

Cancer, a significant health and society problem, takes the first place among the causes of death and frequency of cases. It is necessary to know the risk factors of cancer in order to take this terminal illness under control. The aim of this study, determine the risk factors of cancer knowledge and awareness level of the university students studying the departments of medical sciences. The study is made upon the students studying the departments of medical sciences. The study was conducted at the SANKO University. In the 2016-2017 Academic Year, with all departments, the total number of students is 957. The study consist of 454 sample students. In this study, students are handed out questionnaires testing their knowledge and attitude level about socio-demographic parameters and risk of cancer factors. The average age of participant students is 20,4+2,18 and their ages differ 17 and 30. The 74,8 percentage of sample students is female and 25,8 percentage of them is male. In the families of one–fourth of sample students. (%24,2) existence of cancer cases is detected. 15,4 percentage of students state that they smoke cigarette and 17 percentage of them state that they use alcohol. The sample students do not meaning fully consider doing exercise, consuming plenty of fruit and vegetables and drinking 2-3 liters of water in a day as risk of cancer factors. 88,1-96,7 percentage of the sample students consider drinking alcohol, smoking cigarette, environmental pollution, malnutrition, base station genetic factors, poor quality products, industrialization, air pollution, cosmetics. Food additives, pesticides, substance use, radiation, difficult life conditions and smoking hookah as risk of cancer factors. In this study, daily smoking cigarette and drinking alcohol rate of sample students is less than the other studies conducted in Turkey. When the Students of Medical Sciences graduate from the University and acquired a profession, they are thought to be guide in the maintenance and development of heath cares. They are advised to include Cancer and Risk Factors of Cancer in their Curriculum. Keywords: Cancer, Risk Factors, Awareness University Students.