Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention (아시아태평양암예방학회)
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Knowledge of Turkish Mothers with Children in the 0-13 Age Group about Cancer Symptoms

  • Demirbag, Birsel Canan (Department of Public Health, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University) ;
  • Kurtuncu, Meltem (Department of Pediatric Nursing, Zonguldak School of Nursing, Bulent Ecevit University) ;
  • Guven, Hadiye (Family Health Physician, Eastern Black Sea Region Family Health Center)
  • Published : 2013.02.28
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Abstract

Background: There have been few studies in Turkey on the incidence of childhood cancers. A mother's knowledge about signs and symptoms of cancer is important for early diagnosis, effective treatment, and improvement of life expectancy. This study was conducted with a group of mothers of children, aged 0-13, at a Family Health Center (FHC) in Turkey's Eastern Black Sea Region, to analyze their knowledge about cancer symptoms in childhood. Materials and Methods: The study group of this descriptive/cross-sectional research comprised 2,061 mothers, ages 19-49, at an FHC in the Eastern Black Sea Region in February 1, 2011 - June 1, 2011. Before the study, permission was obtained from the local ethics board and the institutions concerned. A value of p<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: Of the mothers, 34.9% were between the ages of 40-47, 40.5% had three children, 73.8% had no experience with children with cancer, 45.9% said they learned about cancer on television, 39.7% stated that the primary reason for childhood cancer was the mother's smoking during pregnancy, 68.8% said that early diagnosis would save a child, and 98% wanted to learn about childhood cancer. Conclusion: It was determined that the mothers' knowledge of cancer was deficient.

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