90 Use of the Health Belief Model in screening methods for colorectal cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Breast and cervical cancer are the most common types of cancer in women worldwide. Previous studies have shown that breast and cervical cancer awareness is lower among female university students. The goal of this study is to assess breast and cervical cancer awareness among female university students at two different cultures. Material and Methods: This study was conducted a cross-sectional survey of female university students using a questionnaire to investigate awareness of breast and cervical cancer of students. A total of 350 nursing students participate in this study from Turkey and Poland. In data analysis, descriptive statistics and chi square tests were used. Results and Discussion: In this study, the mean age of participants were 21.3+2.0 years in Turkish and 19.9+1.6 in Polish. Regarding family history, 87.4% of the Turkish students and 81.3% of the Polish had no known familial history of breast cancer. Students 97.9% of Turkish, 84.4% of Polish had knowledge about breast self examination and 72.1% of Turkish students, 48.1% of Polish students had performed breast self examination. 78.9% of Turkish students and 68.8% Polish students had knowledge about prevention of cervical cancer. It was determined that knowing and performing breast self examination ratio is higher in Turkish students (c = 20.892, p = 0.000; c = =21.023, p = 0.000); having clinical breast examination ratio is higher in Polish students (c = 5.996, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Results of this study showed that breast and cervix cancer awareness is similar among university students in both countries. It has been concluded that although awareness of students on breast and cervix cancer are at a good level, this isn’t enough when importance of early diagnosis in breast and cervix cancer are taken into consideration, which are among common cancers in women. Effects on Nursing Practices: Public health nurses and oncology nurses can use this research while increase breast and cervical cancer awareness of young people and be able to make health education about this issue. No conflict of interest.