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Awareness of women with gynecologic cancer about their disease: evidence from İzmir, Turkey

Mücahit Furkan Balcı(1), Abdulmecit Öktem(2), Yasemin Kılıç Öztürk(3), Demet Merder(4), Yasemin Alan(5), Murat Alan(6),


(1) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Torbalı State Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
(2) Department of Perinatology, İzmir City Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
(3) Department of Family Medicine, University of Health Sciences, İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
(4) Department of Family Medicine, University of Health Sciences, İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
(5) Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Eşrefpaşa Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
(6) Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Health Sciences, İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
Corresponding Author

Abstract


Gynecologic cancers are common malignancies among women, and awareness may influence screening and timely care. This study assessed disease awareness among women with gynecologic cancer in İzmir, Turkey. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 800 women aged 25–60 years diagnosed between January and December 2024 at Tepecik Training and Research Hospital. Participants completed a sociodemographic/obstetric questionnaire and the Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Scale (GCAS). The mean age was 42.3±6.9 years and the mean GCAS score was 152.2. Awareness scores were significantly higher in women aged 30–49 years, university graduates, those with income exceeding expenses, and premenopausal participants (p<0.05). GCAS scores were not associated with marital status, occupation, family type, smoking, alcohol use, body mass index, parity, or cancer type (p>0.05). Targeted educational strategies, especially for postmenopausal and socioeconomically disadvantaged women, may strengthen awareness and support participation in screening and follow-up programs.

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