The relationship between health literacy, nutrition literacy, and beliefs and behaviors related to cancer prevention

Purpose The study evaluates the relationship between cancer prevention beliefs and health and nutrition literacy, and their impact on healthy eating practices. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 811 voluntary adult participants aged 18 to 65. Data were collected via a five-section questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, cancer prevention beliefs, Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale (MEDAS), Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 (TSOY-32), and Self-Perceived Food Literacy Scale (SPFL). Correlations between participants’ mean scores across the scales were analyzed. Results The mean age of participants was 27.02 ± 10.14 years. Mean scores were 32.01 ± 10.86 for health literacy, 4.00 ± 1.71 for MEDAS, and 89.94 ± 15.46 for SPFL. Fatalistic beliefs about cancer prevention were held by 71.3% of participants. Adequate health literacy and high adherence to the Mediterranean diet were independent variables that increased fatalistic cancer prevention beliefs (p < 0.05), while being over 30 reduced them. Higher education level, perception of health status, adequate nutrition knowledge, and receiving nutrition information from healthcare professionals or dietitians increased health literacy (p < 0.05). Being married, following a special diet, and higher perceived food literacy increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.05). Female gender, regular exercise, and higher perception of health status increased perceived food literacy (p < 0.05). Conclusion Improving health literacy, education level, perception of health status, and nutrition knowledge, along with ensuring health information from professionals such as dietitians, is essential for enhancing fatalistic beliefs about cancer prevention.