Knowledge Of Cancer Screening Methods Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Cancer Screening Tests Among Health Workers in a University Hospital in Turkey.

Health workers play an important role in the early detection of cancer and encouraging people to participate in screening tests. This study aimed to analyze the knowledge, attitude, and practice of health workers regarding cancer screening and to determine variables that affect their behavior in undergoing in screening tests. This descriptive study was conducted among 475 health workers (84 assistant doctors, 306 nurses, 65 midwives, and 20 other professionals) in a university hospital. The questionnaire included sociodemographic questions (age, profession, years of experience, and family history of cancer) and questions about the workers' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding cancer screening. It was found that half of the participants had inadequate knowledge of cancer screening methods (50.3% for Pap smear, 57.5% for mammography, 68.4% for colonoscopy, and 54.3% for fecal occult blood). Although the attitudes of the health workers were mostly positive (above 90% for all screening tests), their practice of screening methods was low (for example25.7% of them practiced mammography and 4.2% pap smear). Older health workers, those with a family history of cancer, and those with more than 11years of experience tended to participate in cancer screening tests more often than health workers who were younger, had no family history of cancer history, and whose experience was less than 10years (p < 0.05). A health worker's profession was not an important factor in their practice of undergoing screening tests (p > 0.05).

Abstract B71: The effect of knowledge on cancer screening intentions and behaviors among African Americans

Abstract Background: Early cancer detection is widely recommended to reduce cancer mortality, for cancer is most successfully treated during the early stage. In Maryland, only 44.6% of all cancers are detected at the early stage, which may partially account for the fact that blacks in Baltimore City experience significantly higher mortality rates related to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. Access to cancer screening and early detection services and early education are critical in reducing cancer mortality and disparities. Past studies have examined the factors that influence cancer-screening behaviors, however, few have directly assessed how the association between knowledge and behavioral intentions relative to cancer screening varies with age. Methods: The data was collected from the Advancing Community Outreach Study (March 2014-June 2015) conducted by the Johns Hopkins Center to Reduce Cancer Disparities in collaboration with community partners in Baltimore City. The data was obtained via convenience sampling at health fairs and community presentations, and study participants (n=294) responded to various questions to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions based on past and future communications with a health care provider about screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. Cancer knowledge focused on screening methods and National Cancer Institute's recommendations for screening. The primary outcome measure was defined by behavioral intentions indicated by the participant. Results: Preliminary analyses showed that the study population was 83.1% female and 88.5% black. Individuals were separated into three age groups (&amp;lt;50, 50-59, and &amp;gt;60 years of age) to examine the association between cancer screening knowledge and behaviors/intentions. Significant differences in knowledge of cervical cancer (p=0.030) and colorectal cancer (p&amp;lt;0.000) screening guidelines by age group were noted. Past actions related to getting cancer screening varied with age as well. After adjusting for differences in age, gender, and race, positive associations were found between knowledge of cervical cancer screening guidelines and past actions (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.5-7.7) as well as between knowledge of colorectal cancer screening guidelines and past actions (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.7-10.2). Stratifying by age groups indicated that individuals under 50 with knowledge of cervical cancer screening guidelines had higher odds of having positive intentions (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.1-12.3) and positive past actions (OR, 11.1; 95% CI, 1.8-66.3). A positive association was also found in individuals over 60 with knowledge of colorectal cancer screening guidelines, for they had higher odds of both positive health intentions (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.0-27.3) and past actions (OR, 6.7; 95% CI, 1.2-38.3). Knowledge of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening methods was high across the study population (% individuals with correct knowledge &amp;gt;92.0 in all knowledge questions) and showed non-significant differences by age group. Conclusions: Study findings suggest that individuals closer in age to a specific cancer screening guideline demonstrate a positive association between cancer screening knowledge and behavioral intentions linked to obtaining cancer screening. The findings highlight the importance of increasing early and consistent education about cancer screenings to encourage early detection of cancer and to ultimately reduce the disparity in cancer mortality rates. Further research should be conducted to explore the additional factors that influence knowledge of cancer screening methods and guidelines and how that level of knowledge affects cancer screening behaviors. Citation Format: Anjani D. Kapadia, Ahmed Elmi, Lee Bone, Caryn Bell, Saad Tussaduq, Theron Scott, Olive Mbah, Adrian Dobs. The effect of knowledge on cancer screening intentions and behaviors among African Americans. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B71.