Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the relationship between healthy lifestyle awareness and ovarian cancer awareness among women of reproductive age. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 342 women aged 18-49 from all seven geographical regions of Turkey. Data were collected online using the Descriptive Information Form, the Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Scale (HLAS), and the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Measure (OCAM). Analyses were performed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics, normality tests, Pearson correlation analysis, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were applied. The internal consistency of the scales was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULTS: The HLAS score showed a positive correlation with education level (r = .14, p = .010), OC risk factors (r = .27, p < .001), and OC symptoms (r = .15, p = .007). Education level was significantly associated with both OC risk factors (r = .28, p < .001) and OC symptoms (r = .15, p = .005). Cigarette use was significantly negatively correlated with OC risk factors (r = - .17, p = .002), but not with OC symptoms. No significant relationship was found between age and any of the main variables. In hierarchical multiple regression analyses, HLAS was a significant predictor of both OC risk factors (β = 0.22, p < .001) and symptoms (β = 0.13, p = .019). Education level also significantly predicted both OC risk factors (β = 0.22, p < .001) and symptoms (β = 0.12, p = .028). Cigarette use was found to be negatively associated only with OC risk factors (β =-0.13, p = .014). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that healthy lifestyle awareness and education level are key determinants in increasing awareness of ovarian cancer risk factors and symptoms among women of reproductive age. In particular, women with higher healthy lifestyle awareness and education levels have significantly greater knowledge of both risk factors and symptoms. Cigarette use, on the other hand, negatively affects awareness of ovarian cancer risk factors.