title: Knowledge levels of Turkish nurses related to prevention and early diagnosis of cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to examine knowledge about cancer and early diagnosis of cancer among nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive study was carried out at a University Faculty of Medicine Hospital in Turkey. Study between April and June, 2011, with 325 volunteer nurses. The collection tool consisted of two survey forms. The first was designed for sociodemographic information and the second consisted of 16 questions, prepared in accordance with the literature as open and close-ended, for interviews conducted by researchers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the individuals (n=325), included in the study, 90.8% were female, 63.1% high school-university graduates and 55.1% married, with an average years of service of 6.34±5.33 and an average age of 28.1±5.10. The mean cancer knowledge point was 70.1±19.5. Some 79.1% of nurses had not received cancer related continuing education by specialists. A signified relation was found between the nurse knowledge on cancer and educational level (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nurse, a member of the health staff, is in constant contact with individuals at hospitals, schools, polyclinics, workplaces, and homes. When educating society about cancer, nurses need to have a high level of knowledge regarding early diagnosis and cancer prevention.
authors: Faculty of Health Science, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. sukran.ozkahraman@gmail.com
authors: Sukran
authors: S
authors: Ozkahraman
authors: Belgin
authors: B
authors: Yildirim
mesh_terms: D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms; D009726:Nurses; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace