Evaluation of information, attitudes, and behaviors regarding cancer screening among adult patients presenting to family medicine polyclincs

AIM: Cancer screenings, which are part of preventive healthcare services in family medicine, hold significant importance. Screenings are crucial health practices that can reduce cancer-related deaths, extend lifespan, and alleviate the economic burden on healthcare. The aim of this study was to assess the awareness and knowledge levels of cancer screenings among patients attending the Family Medicine Polyclinics of Sakarya Training and Research Hospital and to develop a roadmap for increasing screening rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study aimed to measure the attitudes and behaviors of patients presenting to the Family Medicine outpatient clinics.. Participants were administered questions regarding sociodemographic and certain health characteristics, the Cancer Screening Attitude Scale, and the Cancer Screening Knowledge Scale. The survey form included questions about socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, level of knowledge about cancer and cancer screenings, and identification of reasons for not undergoing screening. RESULTS: Among the participants, 32.7% of those recommended for cancer screening, 46.8% of those knowledgeable about national cancer screening programs, and 84.7% of those aware of Cancer Early Diagnosis and Screening Centers (CEDSC) had undergone cancer screening. The rate of undergoing cancer screening was higher among women and those with a family history of cancer. The majority of those who underwent cancer screening had undergone screening for breast and cervical cancer. Most of those recommended for cancer screening stated that they received these recommendations from their family physicians. Those who underwent cancer screening generally had a higher level of knowledge. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the need to raise awareness for the dissemination and accessibility of cancer screenings. Public health institutions and healthcare professionals should organize comprehensive awareness campaigns to educate the community more effectively about cancer screening. Family physicians should present cancer screening recommendations with greater diligence and a systematic approach. Keywords: Attitude, cancer, cancer screenings, knowledge level.