The level of knowledge and awareness of male university personnels about adult cancers and cancer screening.

Abstract

Objective: Cancer incidence rates have been increasing for both genders. The first aim was to determine the knowledge level of men about the types of cancers on adults. The second aim was to assess the level of knowledge of them on cancer screening programs. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Karabük University in 2020, with 312 males who worked as academicians, administrative personnel and contract-labor. A questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics and the knowledge of male employees about cancer and cancer screenings was applied to the participants by interviewing in the university. Results: The mean age of male participants was 40 years. Of the participants, 39.7% knew that lung cancer is the most common type of cancer among men while 80.4% knew that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Of the participants, 42.9% heard of the Center of Early Detection and Screening of Cancer (CEDSC) and only 12.5% had a cancer screening test. The participants’ answers to the question “Which cancer screening tests are made in CEDSC?” were breast cancer (55.8%), cervical cancer (35.6%), colorectal cancer (31.1%) and prostate cancer (26.0%). Mammography was the most well-known among screening tests (51.9%). The level of knowledge on colon, cervical and prostate cancer screening tests increased with age (p<0.05). Conclusion: The level of knowledge about cancer and cancer screenings of male participants was mostly moderate. It might be possible to increase the level of knowledge on cancer and cancer screening of men by preparing educative and informative programs.