Determining the relationship between breast cancer fear in women and levels of cyberchondria.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between breast cancer fear and the level of cyberchondria in women.

METHODS

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 379 women aged 18 years and older. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form, and the Breast Cancer Fear Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.0.

RESULTS

The participants' mean total score on the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form was 33.73±10.72 (moderate level), while the mean total score on the Breast Cancer Fear Scale was 24.37±9.11 (high level). Significant associations were found between the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form total score and participants' educational status, menopausal status, and practice of breast self-examination, as well as between the Breast Cancer Fear Scale total score and history of clinical breast examination (p<0.05). A positive significant correlation was observed between the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form total score and the Breast Cancer Fear Scale total score (r=0.464; p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Nurses should promote health literacy and guide individuals toward reliable sources, employing an interdisciplinary approach to manage patient fears. By increasing awareness of regular screenings and breast self-examinations, nurses play a key role in mitigating anxiety and fear among high-risk women.