Objective: According to the World Health Organization, at least one third of cancers can be prevented. This study aimed to assess the associations between family history of cancer and individual cancer risk perception with cancer preventive behaviors, within the scope of primary and secondary prevention.

Material and Method: The study group included 332 women, who had attended Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening and Education Centers (CEDSEC) in Ankara for the first time in October-November, 2010. A mixed methods design (surveys, medical records, focus groups) was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Fisher\'s exact test, McNemar\'s chi-square test, Bowker\'s test for symmetry, and the paired samples t-test were used for quantitative data analysis, whereas, manifest content analysis was used for qualitative data.

Results: Of the participants, 55.4% had a family history of cancer, and 26.8% perceived their risk of developing cancer as high. Family history of cancer and perceived cancer risk were neither associated with cancer early detection test uptake, nor with positive health behavior change after service use or with the desire to attend screenings on a regular basis (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The study findings indicate the need for wide-ranging interventions within the scope of CEDSEC services, including assessment of individual risks and risk groups regarding cancer, as well as evidence-based training and individual counseling services to motivate these groups with respect to attending cancer screenings and adopting healthy behaviors.