Although the organization of cancer screening services worldwide to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of cancer is an important issue, access to these services is still a significant problem for Turkish women. This study aims to discover the perceived barriers and facilitators in access to breast and cervical cancer screening among Turkish women.
This study adopted a basic qualitative research design. The study is based on 19 in-depth and 6 focus group semi-structured interviews with women from 2 screening centers, one family health center and the other a cancer screening center in Turkey. The conceptual lens of the study is access to health services. Interview transcripts are analyzed using qualitative, directed content analysis to explore the barriers and facilitators women face in accessing breast and cervical cancer screening services.
Barriers and facilitators to breast and cervical cancer screening access contain 6 themes and 24 categories. The significant barriers to access included health beliefs, knowledge and awareness, waiting times and fear. Important facilitators were gender preferences, family support and recommendations from trusted individuals. The study highlighted organizational and geographical features, misconceptions about cancer and screenings, fear of gynecological tables and challenges in accessing screenings due to agricultural activities, particularly among women in rural areas.
This study reveals original contributions to literature, such as relocation of screening services, misconceptions about cancer and screening and some fears and features of geographical location.
