Investigating Information, Attitudes and Behaviors about Breast Cancer Screening Methods of Women Aged 20-69 in Giresun
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Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of women about knowing breast cancer screening methods and applying them at the right time and frequency.
Materials and Methods: A total of 206 women between the ages of 20-69 years who applied to the Family Medicine and General Surgery outpatient clinics of the Training and Research Hospital between July 2022 and February 2023 participated in the study. A 59-question questionnaire including the 'Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Forum' accepted by the Ministry of Health, which evaluates sociodemographic characteristics and breast cancer risk level, was applied face-to-face to the participants.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 40.57±14.25 and the median value was 38. According to the breast cancer risk assessment form, 81.1% (n=167) of the participants were in the low risk group, 13.6% (n=28) in the medium risk group, 1.5% (n=3) in the high risk group and 3.9% (n=8) in the highest risk group. 68% (n=119) of the participants had learned to perform CHCMM from healthcare professionals. The prevalence of those who practiced MMR was 43.2% (n=89).
Conclusion: Although the women who participated in our study were informed about breast cancer screening methods, the rate of application of these methods was low. For this reason, the role of healthcare professionals, especially family physicians, in identifying patients at high risk of breast cancer, examining them, applying screening methods and referring them to the necessary places is very important.