Determination of the Relationship Between Gynecological Cancer Awareness and Fear of Cancer in Women Using Social Media and the Affecting Factors

Abstract

Background: Understanding the relationship between fear of gynecological cancer and awareness of cancer in women may help oncology nurses increase women's participation in gynecological cancer screening. Objective: To examine the relationship between women's gynecological cancer awareness and cancer fear using social media and the affecting factors. Methods: In a descriptive and cross-sectional study design, online data were collected from 1231 women aged 20 to 69 years through social media using the Descriptive Information Form, the Gynecological Cancer Awareness Scale (GCAS), and the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS). Analytic tests included paired t tests, analysis of variance, and post hoc correlations and structural equation modeling. Results: The women's total mean GCAS score was above moderate (152 +/- 17), and their mean CWS score was high (19 +/- 5). There was no relationship between the GCAS and CWS mean scores. Characteristics of participants with high awareness of gynecological cancer were being young, having a high educational level, having children, living in a province, having a history of cancer or family history of cancer, and having regular gynecological examinations, Papanicolaou smear tests, breast self-examination, and vulva examinations (P < .05). The fear of cancer was higher in women with children, a family history of cancer, and regular gynecological examination behaviors (P < .05). Conclusion: Awareness of gynecological cancer was not significantly statistically associated with fear of cancer. Certain sociodemographic and gynecological characteristics are associated with awareness of gynecological cancer and/or fear of cancer. Implications for Practice: Oncology nurses may plan individualized or large-scale educational events that may make use of social media to enhance accurate awareness of gynecological cancer and related examinations in women.