Multi-dimensional determinants of cancer incidence, cancer deaths and cancer-related years of life lost

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to reveal the effects of lifestyle, the environmental, health services, and demographic characteristics on cancer incidence, cancer deaths, and cancer-related years of life lost. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The population of the study is composed of 36 OECD countries. All variables used in the study were examined under four dimensions: lifestyle, environmental, health services, and demographics. The OECD database was used to obtain data on the variables used in the study over five-year periods (2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015). In order to reveal the variables affecting cancer incidence, cancer deaths, and cancer-related years of life lost, ordinary least squares regression analysis was used. RESULTS: In consideration of research findings, the incidence of cancer is affected by variables related to lifestyle, environmental, and health services; cancer deaths and lost life years were affected by variables related to lifestyle and health services. Also, while lifestyle variables were more effective on cancer in the 2000s, in the following years, both lifestyle variables and health service-related variables were found to be effective. CONCLUSIONS: This finding shows that the effect of health services on individuals' health levels is increasing compared to the past

The relationship between malignant skin diseases and health literacy and protection from sun and skin cancer: a case-control study

Objective: In recent years, skin cancer increased with the increase in sun exposure of people all over the world. In this study, we aimed to find out how much people in Turkey know about how to protect themselves from the sun and skin cancer, how they act to protect themselves from the sun and skin cancer, how they feel about sun protection, and how well they understand health issues. Patients and Methods: This study was designed as a case-control study. This study included 105 patients who were followed up in our clinic with malignant skin diseases (malignant melanoma (MM), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)) between March 2020 and March 2021. Our control group comprised 105 healthy volunteers. This study collected data with a data collection form and the Health Literacy Scale. Results: The results showed that the mean knowledge level of the control group was higher than that of the case group. Similarly, the mean behavior of protection from sun and skin cancer and mean sun protection attitude is higher in the control group than in the malignant skin diseases group. There is a statistically significant difference between the mean health literacy levels of the malignant skin disease group and the control group. The mean health literacy levels of the malignant skin disease group are lower than the control group. There is a statistically significant effect of health literacy, age, knowledge level of protection from sun and skin cancer, and behavior of protection from sun and skin cancer on the probability of skin cancer. Conclusions: Increasing the level of knowledge may positively affect compliance with skin cancer preventive measures and decrease skin cancer-related morbidity and mortality