Pandemi Döneminde Jinekolojik Kanserler ve Meme Kanserinin Erken Tanınması ve Tarama Testleri: Kadınlar Ne Düşünüyor?

Abstract

Objective: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted to determine women’s opinions about screening tests and early detection of gynecological cancers and breast cancer during the pandemic.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, a descriptive information form developed by the researchers through a literature review was used to collect data.Results: The study was conducted with 220 women who met the study criteria. More than half of the participants reported that they would not visit the doctor due to the pandemic even if they were faced with conditions that might be the indicators of cancer such as pain in the genital or abdominal region (56.4%), abnormal vaginal bleeding (63.2%), difficulty urinating (54.5%), pain during sexual intercourse (55%), collapsed, discolored or deformed nipples (66.8%), redness / sore on the nipple (61.4%) and long-term back pain (54.5%). Of them, 71.4% did not want to have gynecological controls, 69.5% did not want to have cervical cancer screening tests, and 59.5% did not want to have mammography and clinical breast examination.Conclusion: During the pandemic, most women choose to avoid healthcare if they experience potential breast cancer and gynecological cancer symptoms.