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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC 4.0Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP

Cancer Knowledge and Environmental Exposure Awareness Among Healthcare Workers and the General Public in Istanbul: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Ayşe Emel Önal1,2
  • Beyza Püren Selcan Gündoğdu1
  • Melek Nur Aslan3
  • Hasan İpekoğlu4
  • Ömer Serdıl Demir1
  • Mehmet Erinç Önal5
  • Mustafa Oğuz Altuğ1
  • Münevver Hasanusta1
  • Gülsüm Nurhan İnce1
  • Meryem Merve Ören Çelik1
5 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Public Health, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkiye.
  2. 2Community Medicine Application Research Center, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkiye.
  3. 3Fatih District Health Directorate, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, Istanbul, Turkiye.
  4. 4Silivri District Health Directorate, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, Istanbul, Turkiye.
  5. 5Department of Family Medicine, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkiye.
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Abstract

Objectives:: A substantial proportion of cancers are preventable, yet awareness of risk factors and screening remains limited. This study assessed disparities in knowledge of cancer epidemiology, screening, and environmental risk factors between healthcare workers(HCWs) and the general public(GP) in two urban districts of Istanbul, and identified associated sociodemographic and behavioral determinants.

Methods:: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 309 participants using a structured 42-item questionnaire covering cancer epidemiology (15 items), screening (9), and environmental risk factors(18). Each correct response scored one point. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.944). Knowledge levels were analyzed across subgroups.

Results:: HCWs scored significantly higher than the GP in all domains: epidemiology (7.7 ± 3.6; 6.4 ± 2.8), screening (5.2 ± 2.7; 2.6 ± 2.1), and environmental risks (12.5 ± 5.0; 10.7 ± 5.7). Higher education, better income, and health-promoting behaviors were associated with increased knowledge. Despite this, notable gaps persisted. Breast cancer was widely recognized (86.1% HCWs; 81.9% GP), whereas awareness of lethal cancers like liver cancer was low (12.2% HCWs; 4.6% GP). Screening knowledge varied: HCWs were more aware of breast cancer screening; prostate and lung cancer screening were poorly recognized, particularly by the GP. While radiation risks were commonly known, links between smoking and non-lung cancers were largely unknown.

Conclusion:: Despite national programs, critical gaps in knowledge persist across all domains, including among HCWs. These disparities, shaped by education, income, and behavior, undermine prevention efforts. Tailored education strategies are needed to improve knowledge, especially environmental cancer literacy, and promote early detection in both groups.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{onal2026cancer,
  title = {{Cancer Knowledge and Environmental Exposure Awareness Among Healthcare Workers and the General Public in Istanbul: A Cross-Sectional Study}},
  author = {Ayşe Emel Önal and Beyza Püren Selcan Gündoğdu and Melek Nur Aslan and Hasan İpekoğlu and Ömer Serdıl Demir and Mehmet Erinç Önal and Mustafa Oğuz Altuğ and Münevver Hasanusta and Gülsüm Nurhan İnce and Meryem Merve Ören Çelik},
  journal = {Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP},
  year = {2026},
  month = jun,
  doi = {10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2107},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2107},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Cancer Knowledge and Environmental Exposure Awareness Among Healthcare Workers and the General Public in Istanbul: A Cross-Sectional Study
AU  - Ayşe Emel Önal
AU  - Beyza Püren Selcan Gündoğdu
AU  - Melek Nur Aslan
AU  - Hasan İpekoğlu
AU  - Ömer Serdıl Demir
AU  - Mehmet Erinç Önal
AU  - Mustafa Oğuz Altuğ
AU  - Münevver Hasanusta
AU  - Gülsüm Nurhan İnce
AU  - Meryem Merve Ören Çelik
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/19
JO  - Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
DO  - 10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2107
UR  - https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2107
AB  - Objectives:: A substantial proportion of cancers are preventable, yet awareness of risk factors and screening remains limited. This study assessed disparities in knowledge of cancer epidemiology, screening, and environmental risk factors between healthcare workers(HCWs) and the general public(GP) in two urban districts of Istanbul, and identified associated sociodemographic and behavioral determinants.  Methods:: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 309 participants using a structured 42-item questionnaire covering cancer epidemiology (15 items), screening (9), and environmental risk factors(18). Each correct response scored one point. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.944). Knowledge levels were analyzed across subgroups.  Results:: HCWs scored significantly higher than the GP in all domains: epidemiology (7.7 ± 3.6; 6.4 ± 2.8), screening (5.2 ± 2.7; 2.6 ± 2.1), and environmental risks (12.5 ± 5.0; 10.7 ± 5.7). Higher education, better income, and health-promoting behaviors were associated with increased knowledge. Despite this, notable gaps persisted. Breast cancer was widely recognized (86.1% HCWs; 81.9% GP), whereas awareness of lethal cancers like liver cancer was low (12.2% HCWs; 4.6% GP). Screening knowledge varied: HCWs were more aware of breast cancer screening; prostate and lung cancer screening were poorly recognized, particularly by the GP. While radiation risks were commonly known, links between smoking and non-lung cancers were largely unknown.  Conclusion:: Despite national programs, critical gaps in knowledge persist across all domains, including among HCWs. These disparities, shaped by education, income, and behavior, undermine prevention efforts. Tailored education strategies are needed to improve knowledge, especially environmental cancer literacy, and promote early detection in both groups.
SN  - 1513-7368
SN  - 2476-762X
ER  -