September 2024
Original Research
An investigation of medical school students’ level of knowledge on breast cancer and their attitudes toward breast self-examination
Level of knowledge on breast cancer
Enes Şahin 1, Mehmet Eşref Ulutaş 2, Sümeyye Şahin 3, Kazım Şahin 4, Dila Önal 5, Sertaç Ata Güler 1, Nihat Zafer Utkan 1
1 Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, 2 Department of General Surgery, Derecik State Hospital, Hakkari, 3 Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, 4 Department of General Surgery, Kandira State Hospital, Kocaeli, 5 Department of General Surgery, Emet Dr. Fazil Dogan State Hospital, Kütahya, Turkey
DOI:10.4328/ECAM.10092 Received: 2024-08-02 Accepted: 2024-08-29 Published Online: 2024-08-31 Printed Online: 2024-09-01 Eu Clin Anal Med 2024;12(3):36-40
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the medical students’ level of knowledge about breast cancer and review their attitudes toward breast self-examination (BSE).
Material and Methods: The study was performed with students studying at Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine between January and March 2024. The study population consisted of all registered medical faculty students of that time. The questionnaire form was developed upon literature review and the final version included 31 multiple choice and direct text response items and was completed by 1st–6th grade students.
Results: 443 participants who responded to the entire questionnaire, were involved in the study. There were 71 Grade 1 (16%), 72 Grade 2 (16.3%), 79 Grade 3 (17.8%), 75 Grade 4 (16.9%), 78 Grade 5 (17.6%), and 68 Grade 6 (15.3%) students in the study. The rate of those who responded that they were informed about breast cancer was 86.7% (n = 384). The rate of correct answers to the items measuring the level of knowledge was higher among the participants, who responded that they had knowledge than the others. (p < 0.001) The rate of being knowledgeable grew with each year of education during the first three years. (p < 0.001) The sources of information were medical documents 54.4% (n = 241), healthcare professionals 21.2% (n = 94), social environment 16% (n = 71), and visual media 8.4% (n = 37). The usage of medical documents increased with each year of education, reaching its highest in the 6th year with a rate of 77.9%. (p < 0.001) The rate of correct answers to the items, which measured the level of knowledge increased by the years in education, especially during the first 3 years. (p < 0.001) Again, the rate of correct answers to these items was higher in those, who used medical documents as a source. (p < 0.001)
Discussion: As a result of the study, it was concluded that breast cancer awareness, level of knowledge, and the rate of those practicing BSE elevated with the number of years in education. Nevertheless, the level of knowledge and awareness about breast cancer should be higher in medical schools, which provide medical education to prospective doctors, who will constitute the basis of health care.
Keywords: Breast Neoplasms, Surveys and Questionnaires, Schools, Medical, Breast Self-Examination
Corresponding Author: Mehmet Eşref Ulutaş, Department of General Surgery, Derecik State Hospital, Hakkari, Turkey. • E-Mail: esref_ulutas@hotmail.com • P: +90 332 221 00 00 • Corresponding Author ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9206-4348
Other Authors ORCID ID: Enes Şahin, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3777-8468 • Sümeyye Şahin, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0947-3499 • Kazım Şahin, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5485-2351 Dila Önal, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0504-1499 • Sertaç Ata Güler, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1616-9436 • Nihat Zafer Utkan, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2133-3336
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kocaeli University Non-Interventional Clinical Research (Date: 2024-04-25, No: KÜ GOKAEK-2024/07.27)
How to cite this article: Enes Şahin, Mehmet Eşref Ulutaş, Sümeyye Şahin, Kazım Şahin, Dila Önal, Sertaç Ata Güler, Nihat Zafer Utkan. An investigation of medical school students’ level of knowledge on breast cancer and their attitudes toward breast self-examination. Eu Clin Anal Med 2024;12(3):36-40
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of the license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Bibliometric analysıs of cancers related to polycystıc ovarian syndrome: 1989-2024
Biblıometric analysis of PCOS and cancers
Tugba Elgun 1, Halil Ibrahim Arslan 2, Kaan Zıksahna 2
1 Department of Medical Biology, 2 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biruni University, Istanbul, Turkey
DOI:10.4328/ECAM.10093 Received: 2024-08-05 Accepted: 2024-08-30 Published Online: 2024-08-31 Printed Online: 2024-09-01 Eu Clin Anal Med 2024;12(3):41-45
Abstract
Aim: This study aims to investigate the relationship between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and cancer through bibliometric analysis of scientific publications published between 1989 and 2024.
Material and Methods: All scientific studies published between 1989 and 2023 were searched in the Scopus database using the keywords “polycystic ovary syndrome”, “PCOS” and “cancer”. The analyses of the data were conducted utilizing Microsoft Excel 365. Within the scope of quantitative analysis, statistical methods such as frequency distributions, percentages, and averages were used to analyse the data in detail.
Results: A total of 8140 documents were published between 1989 and 2023. In 2023, the highest number of PCOS-related cancer documents (n=995) were published. The United States of America, China, Australia, and Northern European countries have made significant contributions to this research area. The researcher with the most publications is R.S. Legro from the United States of America, with 70 publications. The Chinese Ministry of Education stands out as the organization with the highest number of publications, totaling 202. The most common cancers associated with PCOS are endometrial (uterine) cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
Discussion: The association of PCOS with various types of cancer may be explained by the hormonal and metabolic dysregulation of this syndrome. The long-term health implications of PCOS, particularly the associated cancer risk, represent a significant area that warrants further research. This study provides the groundwork for future research aimed at understanding the relationship between PCOS and cancer.
Keywords: Bibliometric Analysis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Cancer, Scopus
Corresponding Author: Tugba Elgun, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Biruni University, Istanbul, Turkey. • E-Mail: telgun@biruni.edu.tr • P: +90 505 316 37 63 • Corresponding Author ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1311-6892
Other Authors ORCID ID: Halil Ibrahim Arslan, https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4172-4748 • Kaan Zıksahna, https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3478-9754
How to cite this article: Tugba Elgun, Halil Ibrahim Arslan, Kaan Zıksahna. Bibliometric analysıs of cancers related to polycystıc ovarian syndrome: 1989-2024. Eu Clin Anal Med 2024;12(3):41-45
The role of gender-specific risk factors in coronary artery disease: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
Healthy lifestyle behavior scale II in CAD
Murat Bilgin 1, Ilker Gul 2, Emre Akkaya 3, Hamza Sunman 4, Recep Dokuyucu 5
1 Department of Cardiology, Private Aktif International Hospital, Yalova, 2 Department of Cardiology, Bakırcay University Cigli Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, 3 Department of Cardiology, Bossan Hospital, Gaziantep, 4 Department of Cardiology, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, 5 Department of Physiology, Medical Specialization Training Center (TUSMER), Ankara, Turkey
DOI:10.4328/ECAM.10094 Received: 2024-08-12 Accepted: 2024-08-30 Published Online: 2024-08-31 Printed Online: 2024-09-01 Eu Clin Anal Med 2024;12(3):46-49
Abstract
Aim: This study aims to analyze the effect of gender-specific risk factors on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies in coronary artery disease patients.
Material and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 1155 registered patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) who were under treatment and follow-up at the Clinic over a 3-month period. The data were acquired through personal interviews, utilizing the sociodemographic form and the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale II (HLBS II) related to patients’ sociodemographic characteristics.
Results: Regarding age distribution, the largest proportion of patients (49.3%) fell within the 41-64 age range, while 39.6% were aged 65 and above. Upon analyzing the patients’ scores on the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale II (HLBS II) by gender, the findings determined that men achieved higher average scores than women in the domains of spiritual development, interpersonal relations, and stress management. The average nutrition score in men was statistically lower than in women (p<0.05). Regarding age-related subscale scores, both physical activity and spiritual development scores declined with increasing age (p<0.05). There were statistically significant differences (p<0.05) among all age groups in terms of the physical activity subscale of the HLBS II. With respect to education levels, higher education was associated with a significant increase in average physical activity scores (p<0.05).
Discussion: This study underscores the importance of acknowledging gender differences in cardiovascular diseases to improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, and preventive efforts. A comprehensive understanding of gender-specific nuances will pave the way for more personalized and effective cardiovascular healthcare strategies.
Keywords: Coronary Artery Disease, Gender Differences, Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale Ii, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
Corresponding Author: Recep Dokuyucu, Department of Physiology, Medical Specialization Training Center (TUSMER), Ankara, Turkey. • E-Mail: drecepfatih@gmail.com • P: +90 543 301 0184 • Corresponding Author ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6837-3477
Other Authors ORCID ID: Murat Bilgin, https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6481-2243 • Ilker Gul, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8312-310X • Emre Akkaya, https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5106-7912 • Hamza Sunman, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9824-469X
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Health Sciences University (Date: 2020-01-29, No: 2020/15)
How to cite this article: Murat Bilgin, Ilker Gul, Emre Akkaya, Hamza Sunman, Recep Dokuyucu. The role of gender-specific risk factors in coronary artery disease: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Eu Clin Anal Med 2024;12(3):46-49
Enhancing ankle and foot reconstruction: Outcomes and techniques with sural flaps in diverse patient groups
Sural flap techniques in ankle and foot reconstruction
Metin Temel 1, Ahmet Kahraman 1, Numan Atilgan 2
1 Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, 2 Department of Hand Surgery, Sanliurfa Mehmet Akif Inan Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey
DOI:10.4328/ECAM.10095 Received: 2024-08-13 Accepted: 2024-08-28 Published Online: 2024-08-31 Printed Online: 2024-09-01 Eu Clin Anal Med 2024;12(3):50-54
Abstract
Aim: This study aims to describe our experiences with the use of sural flaps in the reconstruction of ankle and surrounding tissue losses in different patient groups and the methods used to ensure the safety of the flap pedicle.
Material and Methods: Data of 25 patients including 13 women and 12 men, who were operated between 2018 and 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. Ages ranged between 12 and 71 (mean: 42.2 years).
Results: The wound and defect etiology were trauma in 9 patients, tumoral mass excision in 2 patients, chronic wound in 5 patients, diabetes in 7 patients, and lumbar disc hernia related neuropathy in 2 patients. Tissue loss was present in and around the heel in 13 patients, lateral foot in 4 patients, and around the ankle in 8 patients. In the 17 patients, sural flap procedures were performed from the identical legs. In the 8 patients were harvested sural flap from the opposite legs as cross leg flaps. Nearly in all of the patients were experienced to partial loss in the grafts, because it could have not applied pressure to the area on the flap pedicle. But this condition did not cause any healing problems in the flaps. Only in 4 patients developed complication. But it was healed with antibiotic-therapy and local wound care.
Discussion: We believe that passage of the flap pedicle through open skin tunnel and closure with skin graft only, would avoid the negative effect formed by the pressure, and increase the success of the flap.
Keywords: Reverse Flow Sural Flap, Flap Pedicle, Skin Graft, Ankle Reconstruction, Foot Wound
Corresponding Author: Metin Temel, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey. • E-Mail: prsdrmetintemel@gmail.com • P: +90 530 567 89 80 • Corresponding Author ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1829-9894
Other Author ORCID ID: Ahmet Kahraman, https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9446-3500 • Numan Atilgan, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7184-978X
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Mustafa Kemal University (Date: 2015-05-07, No: 2015-07/5)
How to cite this article: Metin Temel, Ahmet Kahraman, Numan Atilgan. Enhancing ankle and foot reconstruction: Outcomes and techniques with sural flaps in diverse patient groups. Eu Clin Anal Med 2024;12(3):50-54