Aim. To assess the state of knowledge and educational needs about prevention of cervical cancer among high school students and university graduates. Material and methods. The study was conducted at the Technical School No. 3 in Zielona Gora and among graduates of the University of Zielona Gora. 220 respondents were surveyed in total. The study used an original questionnaire consisting of 28 questions. Results. The surveyed students and the graduates did not have sufficient knowledge about women morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer in Poland. 27%, 31%, 47%, and 19% of them, respectively, answered this question correctly. Knowledge of respondents about the prevention and treatment of cancer has been diversified, young women had knowledge about HPV infection, 98% and 57% respectively, 74% and 39% of them knew the symptoms of cancer, and 83% of students and 39% of graduates knew what the cytological examination was. According to the respondents, education about cancer is insufficient, such an answer was given by71% of students and 68% of female graduates. Conclusions. The overall level of knowledge about cervical cancer prevention among young women is just sufficient. Schoolgirls of technical school had significantly more knowledge about the epidemiology, prevention and risk factors for cervical cancer than graduates of higher education. Young women are aware of the limited knowledge about cervical cancer and all declare the need for education on this issue in the framework of pre- and post-graduate courses.

Key words: prevention, cervical cancer, education needs.