Dear Editor,
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted not only infectious disease management but also access to preventive health care services worldwide. Among the most affected were cancer screenings-key interventions in reducing cancer-related mortality.Reference Cancino, Su and Mesa 1 During the pandemic, many individuals avoided health institutions due to fear of virus transmission, which may have played a central role in declining cancer screening rates.Reference Cancino, Su and Mesa 1 , Reference Walker, Meggetto and Gao 2
We conducted a study in Erzurum, Eastern Turkey, involving 393 individuals aged 50-70, to examine the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and participation in cancer screenings. Data were collected through an online questionnaire using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and a sociodemographic information form. The mean Fear of COVID-19 score was 19.59±6.98, indicating an above-average level of fear among participants.
Statistical analysis revealed that increased fear of COVID-19 significantly reduced cancer screening participation. Furthermore, higher fear levels were associated with avoiding health care institutions due to fear of infection and a decreased willingness to consider cancer screening should the pandemic continue.
Fear was notably higher among women, those with lower education and income levels, individuals diagnosed with cancer or with relatives who had cancer, and those who either had undergone cancer screenings or avoided health care facilities during the pandemic. These findings suggest that psychological responses, especially fear, influenced public health behaviors even in areas critical for early diagnosis and mortality reduction.Reference Pakpour and Griffiths 3 –Reference Caston, Lawhon and Smith 5
This study appears to be among the first in Turkey to provide empirical evidence linking fear of COVID-19 with cancer screening behavior. The findings underscore the need to address psychosocial barriers to preventive health care during public health crises. Particularly, primary care providers should be equipped to inform and reassure the public to mitigate fear-driven health care avoidance.Reference Caston, Lawhon and Smith 5
We recommend awareness campaigns and educational interventions led by community health professionals to reduce public fear and maintain engagement with cancer screening programs during future health emergencies.
Data availability statement
The data for this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Author contribution
Study conception and design: SB, HYB; Data collection: SB; Data analysis and interpretation: SB, HYB. Drafting of the article: SB, HYB; Critical revision of the article: SB, HYB.
ORCID IDs
Sevgi BAL ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1946-5604
Hasret YALÇINÖZ BAYSAL ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2177-3486
Acknowledgements
The present authors wish to thank to all participants who so willingly participated in this study.
Funding statement
No funding was received for conducting this study.
Competing interests
The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. This study is a master’s thesis. The study was presented orally as a summary presentation at the 3rd International 4th National Public Health Nursing Congress in Turkey on January 11-13, 2023.
Ethical standard
Ethical committee approval was received from the Ethics Committee of Ataturk University (Date of approval:15.04.2021 and Number: B.30.2.ATA.0.01.00/140)
Informed consent was obtained from participants.
