Knowledge of Polish nurses and teachers about ovarian cancer

Abstract

Background: Ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose, and often detected too late. It is also difficult to treat, and has a high mortality rate. In Poland, ovarian cancer constitutes 5% of all cancers found in women, making it the fifth most common malignant neoplasm in the female population. Aim of the study: To raise awareness among nurses and teachers about the early detection and treatment of ovarian cancer based on their level of knowledge on the subject. Material and methods. The study has been conducted using original survey questionnaire among the group of 391 Polish women (274 nurses and 117 teachers) from Garwolin district. The statistical analysis has been made using statistical package StatSoft Statistica 13.1 PL, as well as Microsoft Office. Results: The majority (68.3%) of surveyed women had a low general level of knowledge about ovarian cancer. Only 3.6% of nurses had high level of general knowledge about ovarian cancer. The higher the level of knowledge in both groups, the more often women reported for gynecological check ups and gynecologic ultrasound. Conclusions: The level of knowledge of nurses about ovarian cancer is slightly higher than the level of knowledge among teachers. Unfortunately, the general level of knowledge of the respondents in both groups is unsatisfactory. The level of knowledge may have a significant impact on the frequency of preventive examinations performer by women.