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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Ovarian Cancer | Research

Common misconceptions and myths about ovarian cancer causation: a national cross-sectional study from palestine

Authors: Mohamedraed Elshami, Inas Jaber, Mohammed Alser, Ibrahim Al-Slaibi, Hadeel Jabr, Sara Ubaiat, Aya Tuffaha, Salma Khader, Reem Khraishi, Zeina Abu Arafeh, Sondos Al-Madhoun, Aya Alqattaa, Areej Yaseen, Asmaa Abd El Hadi, Ola Barhoush, Maysun Hijazy, Tamara Eleyan, Amany Alser, Amal Abu Hziema, Amany Shatat, Falasteen Almakhtoob, Balqees Mohamad, Walaa Farhat, Yasmeen Abuamra, Hanaa Mousa, Reem Adawi, Alaa Musallam, Shurouq I. Albarqi, Nasser Abu-El-Noor, Bettina Bottcher

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Women’s inability to recognize ovarian cancer (OC) causation myths to be incorrect may lead to behavioral changes that could distract them from actual risk factors and impact their treatment decision making. This study examined Palestinian women’s recognition of OC mythical causes, and explored factors associated with good recognition.

Methods

A national cross-sectional study was conducted. Adult Palestinian women were recruited from hospitals, primary healthcare facilities, and public areas in 11 governorates. The Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale was modified and utilized for data collection. Awareness level was determined based on the number of myths around OC causation recognized to be incorrect: poor (0–4), fair (5–9), and good (10–13).

Results

A total of 5618 participants agreed and completed the questionnaire out of 6095 approached (response rate = 92.1%), and 5411 questionnaires were included in the final analysis. The most recognized food-related myth was ‘drinking from plastic bottles’ (n = 1370, 25.3%) followed by ‘eating burnt food’ (n = 1298, 24.0%). The least recognized food-related myth was ‘eating food containing additives’ (n = 611, 11.3%). The most recognized food-unrelated myth was ‘having a physical trauma’ (n = 2899, 53.6%), whereas the least recognized was ‘using mobile phones’ (n = 1347, 24.9%). Only 273 participants (5.1%) had good awareness of OC causation myths as incorrect. Earning higher monthly incomes as well as visiting governmental healthcare facilities were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of exhibiting good awareness.

Conclusion

The overall recognition of OC causation myths was low. Addressing mythical beliefs should be included in OC prevention strategies and public health interventions to improve women’s understanding of OC risk factors versus mythical causes.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Common misconceptions and myths about ovarian cancer causation: a national cross-sectional study from palestine
Authors
Mohamedraed Elshami
Inas Jaber
Mohammed Alser
Ibrahim Al-Slaibi
Hadeel Jabr
Sara Ubaiat
Aya Tuffaha
Salma Khader
Reem Khraishi
Zeina Abu Arafeh
Sondos Al-Madhoun
Aya Alqattaa
Areej Yaseen
Asmaa Abd El Hadi
Ola Barhoush
Maysun Hijazy
Tamara Eleyan
Amany Alser
Amal Abu Hziema
Amany Shatat
Falasteen Almakhtoob
Balqees Mohamad
Walaa Farhat
Yasmeen Abuamra
Hanaa Mousa
Reem Adawi
Alaa Musallam
Shurouq I. Albarqi
Nasser Abu-El-Noor
Bettina Bottcher
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18437-6

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