ABSTRACT
The problem of early prophylaxis of cancer is especially important, mainly due to the results of epidemiological studies, which show high death rates due to cancer among Polish women. The objective of the study was the recognition of health behaviours with respect to cancer prophylaxis reported by the women examined, as well as the determination of the range of expectations concerning health education in the area analysed. The study was conducted in the form of a diagnostic survey and covered 242 female inhabitants of the city of Lublin situated in the Central-Eastern Region of Poland, aged 40-65. The results of the study showed that the respondents most often evaluated their health as generally 'good' or 'mediocre'. Approximately 20% of women in the study had a family history of cancer. The women examined performed self-examination of the breast less frequently than they visited a gynaecologist for a health check-up, cytological tests and mammography. Only a small group of women had densimetric examinations performed. More than a half of the respondents mentioned that they eagerly read educational materials concerning health, and acquired information which contributed to the development of health promoting attitudes.
