BURAK KANKAYA, SÜLEYMAN BÜYÜKAŞIK, YUSUF EMRE ALTUNDAL, PARİA RAHMANBAKHSH, ARTA ARMANİ, HALİL ALIŞ, SELİN KAPAN
Comprehensive Medicine - 2024;16(2):95-100
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the awareness and comprehension of breast cancer, the screening program, and mammography among female academic staff members who work in an academic study center, as well as female patients who applied to the general surgery outpatient clinic with complaints unrelated to breast. METHODS: A breast cancer awareness survey consisting of 13 questions was administered to a total of 209 respondents, of which 100 were outpatient clinic group (OG) and 109 were academic group (AG). The SPSS 27.0 program was utilized in the statistical analyses. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups other than the level of education. Regarding the breast cancer awareness rates both groups have a similar rate of awareness above average, however, annual breast examination rates and mammography and/or ultrasonography screening rates were similarly around or below average. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: "Lack of information", "neglect", "do not have problem" and "not believing it is necessary" were the main reasons for women who do not participate in breast cancer screening programs. Therefore more efforts should be made to increase breast cancer awareness and importance of early diagnosis to prevent breast cancer-related deaths.
