Female healthcare workers and breast cancer screening

Abstract

Aim/Background: Breast cancer is the common type of cancer all around the world. In this study, we aimed to evaluate female healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and beliefs about breast cancer and breast cancer screening methods. Methods: This study was conducted in a training and research hospital. Female healthcare professionals were included in the study. The data were collected by questionnaires filled out through face to face interviews. SPSS for Win. Ver. 15.0 was used for the analysis. Results: The study included 525 participants, 52.4%(n=275) of them were midwives/nurses, 31.2%(n=164) were doctors, and 16.4%(n=86) were other allied health personnel. The doctors were found more knowledgeable than the others about signs and symptoms of breast cancer (p=0.001). The sensitivity subscale scores according to Breast Cancer Health Belief Model Scale were higher in the participants whose first-degree relatives had a history of breast cancer (p=0.001). Conclusion: Early diagnosis of breast cancer can be possible by the implementation of screening programs effectively. For this purpose, it is necessary to encourage healthcare professionals to be sensitive to the subject as well as increasing the awareness of breast cancer in the community.