Turkish people's knowledge of cancer and attitudes toward prevention and treatment.
BACKGROUND
The basic level of cancer knowledge of the population is as important in controlling cancer as diagnostic tools, screening, and new approaches to prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.


METHODS
A questionnaire consisting of 24 questions was given to 630 healthy Turkish people to determine their basic knowledge and attitudes regarding cancer.


RESULTS
The majority of respondents (78%) were found to have little knowledge of cancer despite the fact that the average level of education of the sample was superior to that of the general population. Educational level was the major predictive factor influencing the basic knowledge and attitudes of the respondents.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall education of the public as well as the basic level of knowledge of cancer must be improved in cooperation with oncology societies and media in order to overcome the cancer burden in Turkey.
Cetingoz
Riza
R
Department of Radiation Oncology, Dokuz Eylul University Medical School, Izmir, Turkey. riza.cetingoz@deu.edu.tr
Kentli
Suleyman
S
Uruk
Ozlem
O
Demirtas
Evrim
E
Eyiler
Ferhat
F
Kinay
Munir
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey