Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to measure the level of knowledge of female healthcare professionals about breast cancer and cervical cancer. METHODS: This cross-sectional study including 310 female healthcare staff working in Hatay Training and Research Hospital was conducted between January 2020 and June 2020. The Turkish version of breast cancer and cervical cancer awareness measure questionnaires were used for the study. RESULTS: The age of the 310 participants varied from 17 to 62 years, 16.5% of the participants were doctors, 48.1% of them were nurses and midwives, 13.9% of them were laboratory workers and technicians, 16.5% of them were secretaries, and 5.2% of them were students. Regarding breast cancer screening, 63.5% underwent breast self-examination (BSE) routinely. Of the participants, 60.3% never underwent mammography (MMG) and ultrasonography (USG), 27.7% never went for a gynecological examination, and 58.4% had never received a Pap smear test. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The level of knowledge about breast cancer was sufficient among especially doctors and nurses but their attitudes and behaviors were not of the expected level.

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