Knowledge assessment of women living in the Wielkopolska region concerning risk factors for cervical cancer

INTRODUCTION Cervical cancer (CC) is a malignant tumor which for many years has been a serious epidemiological problem in Poland. This issue is important because CC is the second most common type of malignant tumor, after breast cancer, and the second most common cause of death among women. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of women living in the Wielkopolska region (Gniezno district) of risk factors for cervical cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study used the diagnostic poll method, based on a previously developed survey questionnaire. The study was carried out between March and April 2013. The study group consisted of 100 women, involving schoolgirls from the secondary school in Gniezno (Group I), workers (doctors, nurses and midwives) of two outpatient clinics in the Gniezno district (Group II) and patients of the same clinics (Group III). RESULTS According to the respondents, the main cause of CC is human papillomavirus (Group II - 36%) and genetic predisposition (Group III - 35%). It is alarming that 26% of women did not know the risk factors for CC. CONCLUSIONS It is necessary to improve health education, especially concerning the main factors affecting the development of CC, in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates related to this cancer.