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. 2024 Apr 12;24(1):1027.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-18437-6.

Common misconceptions and myths about ovarian cancer causation: a national cross-sectional study from palestine

Mohamedraed Elshami #  1   2 , Inas Jaber #  3 , Mohammed Alser  4 , Ibrahim Al-Slaibi  5 , Hadeel Jabr  6 , Sara Ubaiat  7 , Aya Tuffaha  8 , Salma Khader  3 , Reem Khraishi  9 , Zeina Abu Arafeh  3 , Sondos Al-Madhoun  10 , Aya Alqattaa  11 , Areej Yaseen  3 , Asmaa Abd El Hadi  11 , Ola Barhoush  3 , Maysun Hijazy  11 , Tamara Eleyan  3 , Amany Alser  10 , Amal Abu Hziema  11 , Amany Shatat  11 , Falasteen Almakhtoob  12 , Balqees Mohamad  13 , Walaa Farhat  14 , Yasmeen Abuamra  15 , Hanaa Mousa  11 , Reem Adawi  3 , Alaa Musallam  16 , Shurouq I Albarqi  17 , Nasser Abu-El-Noor #  18 , Bettina Bottcher #  11
Affiliations

Common misconceptions and myths about ovarian cancer causation: a national cross-sectional study from palestine

Mohamedraed Elshami et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Women's inability to recognize ovarian cancer (OC) causation myths to be incorrect may lead to behavioral changes that could distract them from actual risk factors and impact their treatment decision making. This study examined Palestinian women's recognition of OC mythical causes, and explored factors associated with good recognition.

Methods: A national cross-sectional study was conducted. Adult Palestinian women were recruited from hospitals, primary healthcare facilities, and public areas in 11 governorates. The Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale was modified and utilized for data collection. Awareness level was determined based on the number of myths around OC causation recognized to be incorrect: poor (0-4), fair (5-9), and good (10-13).

Results: A total of 5618 participants agreed and completed the questionnaire out of 6095 approached (response rate = 92.1%), and 5411 questionnaires were included in the final analysis. The most recognized food-related myth was 'drinking from plastic bottles' (n = 1370, 25.3%) followed by 'eating burnt food' (n = 1298, 24.0%). The least recognized food-related myth was 'eating food containing additives' (n = 611, 11.3%). The most recognized food-unrelated myth was 'having a physical trauma' (n = 2899, 53.6%), whereas the least recognized was 'using mobile phones' (n = 1347, 24.9%). Only 273 participants (5.1%) had good awareness of OC causation myths as incorrect. Earning higher monthly incomes as well as visiting governmental healthcare facilities were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of exhibiting good awareness.

Conclusion: The overall recognition of OC causation myths was low. Addressing mythical beliefs should be included in OC prevention strategies and public health interventions to improve women's understanding of OC risk factors versus mythical causes.

Keywords: Behavioral changes; Beliefs; Mythical causes; Myths; Ovarian cancer; Palestine.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no competing interests.

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