Knowledge and concerns about cancer in patients with primary gynecologic cancers

The aim of this study was to measure the level of knowledge about cancer among patients with primary gynecologic cancers and the rate of awareness for diagnosis.

Two hundred patients with primary gynecologic cancers in Vaie Asr & Mirza Kochak Khan hospitals, Tehran/Iran, participated and entered the study and were interviewed by trained nurses. The interview included questions about knowledge of their cancer and risk factors.

One hundred fifteen of 200 subjects (58%) knew that their disease was malignant, of which 56 were aware of the exact diagnosis. Fifty six percent of the subjects believed that doctors must say the true diagnosis. The level of general knowledge about cancer was poor in 34%of cases. Regarding cancer risk factors, 47% had a poor level of knowledge. Misconception about injury and depression as predisposing factors were common. Level of general knowledge was significantly higher in younger than in older patients (p<0.05). Also patients with a greater length of formal education had a higher level of knowledge (p<0.0001). Patients who received information from medical personnel and who were aware of diagnosis had a higher level of knowledge (p<0.0001).

The level of knowledge about cancer should be promoted in both the general public and in patients. Medical personnel may play a great role in this field.