Adaptation of the Breast Cancer Stigma Scale to Turkish

Practical measures are needed for clinicians and researchers to identify and effectively manage stigmatization in breast cancer survivors. This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the Breast Cancer Stigma Scale (BCSS) for use in Turkish. This methodological study was conducted with women with breast cancer in a hospital in Istanbul between March and October 2023. The Turkish version of the BCSS was prepared with translation, back-translation and expert review. Data were obtained using the personal information form and BCSS. Cronbach's alpha, Mc Donalds Omega analysis and item analysis were performed for reliability. Test-retest reliability was measured by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). CVI was determined for content validity. EFA and CFA were performed for construct validity, and fit index values were examined. Ceiling and floor effects were also evaluated. The Content Validity Index of the scale was 0.974. The item-total score correlations of the scale, which includes 15 items and four subscales, were between 0.369 and 0.663, and the factor load values were between 0.404 and 0.799. Construct validity goodness-of-fit indices were acceptable. There was a significant difference between the lower and upper 27% groups of the participants' scores from the scale for ceiling or floor effects (p<0.05). Cronbach coefficient for internal consistency was 0.881. ICC was found to be high (0.952; p=0.000) and there was no difference between test-retest values (p>0.05). We concluded that the Turkish version of the BCSS has adequate psychometric properties as per the best international recommendations. The BCSS adapted to Turkish had good validity and reliability.