title: Turkish social attitudes towards to cancer prevention: a health belief model study.
abstract: This research was planned to reveal society's attitude towards cancer and early diagnosis using the health belief model. This study was planned as descriptive research in Isparta. A random sample of n=256 individuals of both genders was recruited at the largest shopping center. As a means of collection tool, a survey consisted of two forms, the first designed for sociodemographic information and the second covering 29 questions suitable for the content of Health Belief Model. Of the participants, 66.8% were female and 33.2% were male, and the average age was 33.3±11.0 years. Some 46.1% partly thought that they may develop cancer, and 49.6% were afraid of this possibility. As many as 50% indicated that cancer is an issue that comes from Allah. A significant difference was found between not going for control unless feeling bad, and blood analysis for cancer screening (χ2=3.780 p= 0.03). It was seen that in an area with a high rate of cancer, people's awareness of cancer prevention and early diagnosis and attitudes towards these are insufficient.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing Department, Health Sciences Faculty, Suleyman Demirel Universty, Isparta, Turkey E-mail : tasciemel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Emel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tasci-Duran
authors.forename: Sukran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koc
authors.forename: Medet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korkmaz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012067:Religion; D012938:Social Perception; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult