Evaluation of the knowledge levels of healthcare workers at Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University Hospital regarding cancer screenings

Cancer screenings are important for the protection of health. In our study, we aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of healthcare workers at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Hospital regarding cancer screenings. The population of the study consisted of healthcare personnel working as physicians, nurses, health officers, emergency medical technicians, and midwives at our university hospital. It was planned to reach the entire population, and no sampling method was used. No sample was selected. In the study, a questionnaire form prepared by reviewing the literature and the "Knowledge Scale for Cancer Screening" which was developed in 2023 were used. A total of 229 healthcare workers participated in our study, of whom 49.8% were physicians, 43.7% were nurses and midwives, and 6.5% were health officers. Among the participants, 55.5% were women, 59.0% were married, and the mean age was 30.57±5.09 years. It was found that 58.5% of the healthcare workers had knowledge of the National Cancer Screening Program implemented in our country, 53,7% correctly identified all cancers included in the screening program, and 73.8% reported providing recommendations about cancer screenings to their patients/relatives. Additionally, the mean total score of the Knowledge Scale for Cancer Screening was 20.40±4.51, and 81.7% of the participants were determined to have an adequate level of knowledge regarding cancer screenings. However, only 7.9% had undergone cancer screening themselves, and the most common reasons for not being screened were "Because I have no complaint" and "Because I am young." Healthcare workers are role models in the protection of public health. In this context, the fact that most participants in our study had an adequate level of knowledge about cancer screenings is important. However, the low rate of undergoing cancer screening is noteworthy. Although the fact that the study was conducted on a population with a young average age is a factor affecting this situation, it is noteworthy that the suggestion that I did not have it done because I had no complaints is prominent among the reasons for not having it done.In this regard, we believe that healthcare workers need in-service training on this topic. Keywords: Cancer, screening, healthcare workers