Community-Based Cancer Screening: Reaching the Target Population

Abstract

Objective:The aim of this study is to determine the risk factors and the results of the community-based screening program of the women who attended the Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Education Center between 2005-2011. Methods:This study was planned on a descriptive design. Data of the women who attend to cancer screening center between 2005-2011 years for breast cancer and cervical cancer screening program were collected retrospectively and evaluated. Incomplete forms were excluded.Results:Research has been completed by the records of 3162 women. The age of the study group was between 25-69 years old. The majority of them has been educated for 5 years and/or less, or not educated (89%), more than one-third of patients had more than four birth(38%), the breastfeeding rate was high (93.6%), the oral contraceptive drugs and HRT medication usage ratios were low (7.2%, 7.2%), respectively), the smoking rate was low (14.9%). The number of women who consulted for cervix cancer screening was 215 in 2008 and 142 for breast cancer screening; by the end of June 2011. Those numbers increased to 1271 and 1012, respectively.Conclusion:Community-based cancer screening programs are much more successful to reach the target population although single women, LGBT individuals, “working class” are still the missing parts of the puzzle.