Women's awareness about gynaecological cancers in Poland and Turkey - a comparative study.

Abstract

Introduction and objective: The aim of the study is to determine and compare the awareness levels of women in two different countries regarding gynaecological cancers.

Material and methods: The descriptive and cross-sectional study collected data from among 1,017 women in Turkey and Poland. Personal Information Form (PIF) and Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Scale (GCAS) were used as data collection tools.

Results: Routine Control in Gynaecological Cancers and Serious Illness Perception Awareness Sub-Dimension mean score in Turkey and Poland was 87.84±15.23 vs. 85.47± 10.86. Gynaecological Cancer Risks Awareness Sub-Dimension mean score in Turkey was 29.62±6.09, in Poland's - 28.47±4.78; a significant difference was found between the score averages. When the Gynaecological Cancer Protection Awareness Sub-Dimension was evaluated, the score obtained for Turkey was 22.46±4.45, while the average score for Poland was calculated as 22.44±3.42; statistical significance was determined for these averages. Based on the Early Diagnosis and Information Awareness Sub-Dimension in Gynaecological Cancers, the mean score in Türkey was found to be 17.04±3.24, and in Poland - 16.90±2.39; the difference between the mean scores was statistically significant. The total score obtained in the Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Scale was calculated as 156.97±23.23 in Turkey and 153.30±16.83 in Poland. There was a significant difference in the average scores obtained between the two countries.

Conclusions: There was a significant difference in the level between women's gynaecological cancer awareness in Turkey and in Poland. It was determined that gynaecological cancer awareness is higher among women in Turkey.