Risk Awareness on Uterine Cancer among Australian Women

Abstract

Uterine cancer is the most common invasive gynaecological cancer in Australia. Early detection is a keypredictive factor achieved by increasing public awareness and participation in screening. This observationalstudy measures awareness of gynaecological malignancies, particularly uterine, among women in two ruralareas of New South Wales, Australia. Patients presenting to gynaecology clinics in January to March 2014 wereinvited to complete a structured questionnaire. Women with a history of cancer and incomplete questionnaireswere excluded. Of the 382 patients invited to participate, 329 (86%) responded with complete feedback. Mostrespondents were younger than than 50 years (66%) and married with at least 2 children (74%). The majority(94%) of participants had no awareness of uterine cancer and many (46%) were unable to identify common riskfactors including obesity, diabetes and hypertension. The ability to identify risk factors was correlated to age,marital status and obesity. The study identifies poor awareness on uterine malignancies in two typical areas ofrural Australia. Although external validity is limited by sociological factors, poor awareness of uterine canceramong rural patients in this study represents a valid public health concern. It is imperative to improve awarenessof uterine cancer and available screening programs to facilitate early detection and cure.