Comparison of knowledge, attitudes and awareness of women with and without severe mental illness regarding breast cancer: A cross-sectional study

Müyesser AŞGIN CİRİT, Comparison of Knowledge, Attitudes and Awareness of Women with and without Severe Mental Illness Regarding Breast Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Institute, Mental Health and Disease Nursing, Master's Thesis, Zonguldak, 2025. The aim of this study is to compare the knowledge, attitudes and awareness of women with and without severe mental illness towards breast cancer. This study is a comparative, descriptive and cross-sectional type. The study was conducted between March 2024 and December 2024 with the participation of 109 women with severe mental illnesses registered at the Karadeniz Ereğli State Hospital Community Mental Health Center affiliated to the Zonguldak Provincial Health Directorate and 109 women without severe mental illnesses registered at the Fikri Oğuz Family Health Center. This study data was collected using the 'Personal Information Form' and the 'Breast Cancer Awareness Scale'. Parametric tests were used to analyze the data. The total mean score of the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale was determined as 0.61±0.67 in the Community Mental Health Center group and 1.05±0.61 in the Family Health Center group. It was determined that the breast cancer awareness levels of women in the Family Health Center group were higher than those of women in the Community Mental Health Center group and this difference between them was statistically significant (p <0.001). It is recommended that research be conducted to determine the factors affecting the low breast cancer knowledge, attitude and awareness in individuals with chronic mental illness, and that appropriate interventions be planned and implemented according to the results. Research should be conducted to determine the factors that affect the low knowledge, attitude and awareness of breast cancer in individuals with severe mental illness. In addition, it is recommended that initiatives be taken to increase the knowledge, attitude and awareness of women with severe mental illness towards breast cancer. Keywords: Severe mental illness, awareness of cancer, breast cancer