Evaluation of the Turkish validity and reliability of cancer stigma scale in women applying to the cancer screening and early diagnosis center (ketem) and determination of related factors

In this study; it was aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of Cancer Stigma Scale (CASS) in women who applied for screening to Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis Center (KETEM), to determine the cancer stigma level, some information about the cancer and risk factors, some body perceptions related cancer and the factors associated with them. The research consists of two stages, the first is a methodological type and the second is a descriptive type epidemiological study. The data was collected between 2 December 2019 - 26 January 2020 after cancer screening at KETEM, after obtaining written consent from the 500 participants, using face-to-face interview technique. In the research, two different data collection forms were used, and the first one included the Cancer Stigma Scale, as well as questions about the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, some information about cancer and risk factors, and body perceptions about cancer. The second one contains only the Cancer Stigma Scale and was applied for the test-retest reliability analysis of the scale. The second form was applied to 100 women who filled the first form and whose nickname was known, 15-30 days after the first form was applied. The Cronbach alpha value calculated in the reliability analysis of the Cancer Stigma Scale is 0,659, and the Cronbach alpha values of the sub-dimensions range between 0,408-0,625. In addition, as a result of the test-retest reliability analysis, a positive relationship was found between the two applications (r=0,488, p<0,001). The six-factor structure of the scale was confirmed with first and second level CFA, and it was seen that the standard fit values varied between "acceptable fit" and "perfect fit". As a result, the scale was accepted to be a "reliable, valid" scale that can be used to detection and following the cancer stigma levels of women who who apply to KETEM for cancer screening. In our study, the cancer stigma score of the participants with a high education level, who had a health worker in their family, who had cancer screening in the past and who had a negative cancer body perception was found to be statistically significant. It was found that approximately one third of the participants postponed screening due to insufficient information about screening, especially fear of cancer or anxiety. It was found that the vast majority of the participants were informed about cancer risk factors, but they did not have knowledge about cancer-protecting Hepatitis B and HPV vaccine. It has been determined that most of the participants have negative cancer body perception in view of changes in their bodies associated with cancer and its treatment, which are aesthetically negative and visible to others.It is necessary to inform the public about the ways to prevent cancer, and to develop intervention programs to break the cancer stigma and negative body perception.