Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the current attitudes of nurses toward cancer screening.
Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study designed study was conducted with nurses working at the surgical and internal medicine clinics of a university hospital in Eastern Thrace of Türkiye and carried out adhering to the STROBE guidelines. The “Attitude Scale for Cancer Screening” and the “Demographic Information Form” were used for data collection.
Results: Nurses have a positive attitude toward cancer screening. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed gender (β=0.258, P=.006) and clinical experience (β=−0.264, P=.005) as significantly associated with cancer screening attitude. A weak negative correlation was found between the cancer screening attitude score and clinical experience duration (r = −0.232, P=.016). Being female, having a chronic disease, receiving cancer screening previously, and having limited clinical experience were the factors that positively affect nurses' attitudes toward cancer screening (P < .05).
Conclusion: Having a chronic disease, receiving cancer screening previously, and having limited clinical experience improve the attitudes of nurses toward cancer screening. Male and experienced nurses need encouragement to attend cancer screening programs. For future studies, we suggest qualitative studies be conducted to examine the reasons for the negative attitudes and beliefs of nurses about cancer screening deeply
Cite this article as: Ünver S, Ersin C, İşler NÖ. Cancer screening attitudes of nurses working in surgical and internal medicine clinics: A cross-sectional study. Arch Health Sci Res. 2023;10(3):175-180.