Did Individuals' Fear of COVID-19 Affect Their Participation in Cancer Screenings? An Example from Eastern Turkey

This letter presents key findings from a study conducted in Eastern Turkey, which explored the impact of individuals' fear of COVID-19 on their participation in cancer screenings. Data from 393 participants aged 50-70 years revealed that higher levels of COVID-19 fear significantly decreased the likelihood of engaging in screening behaviors during the pandemic. The study highlights that fear of infection led to health care avoidance, posing a barrier to early cancer detection. These findings underscore the importance of addressing psychological factors such as fear during public health emergencies to ensure continued access to preventive care.

Journal

DISASTER MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS

Year

2025

Volume

19

ISSN

1935-7893

eISSN

1938-744X

DOI

10.1017/dmp.2025.130

WoS UID

WOS:001497819600001

Open via DOI