Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the three most common malignancies among women. Every year, 270,000 females worldwide die from cervical cancer, one female every 2 minutes. In Bulgaria, every day, one female dies, and 3 new cases are diagnosed. In fact, cervical carcinoma is completely preventable and curable if diagnosed early. The only way to detect the disease early is through annual preventive examinations and maintaining a high level of awareness. A major role in these preventive activities is assigned to the medical community, midwives, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Objective: The objective of the present study is to ascertain the level of awareness regarding cervical cancer.
Material and methods: The subjects of the study are three selected groups of respondents - female students, healthy females of sexually active age, and females suffering from cervical cancer. To achieve the goal, a documentary method and a sociological survey were used. The results were processed statistically, using variation, correlation, and comparative analyses.
Results and discussion: In the group of females with a diagnosis of CC, every tenth woman is of the opinion that if she feels well, it is not necessary to have a preventative gynecological examination. The lowest level of awareness about CC is observed in the group of young females (students). The present study showed that a large proportion of women lead risky lifestyles.
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