Just as October is marked in pink, which symbolizes the campaign against breast cancer, November is marked in blue, which symbolizes the fight against prostate cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute (INCA), prostate cancer is the second most common type of prostate cancer among men in Brazil, after non-melanoma skin cancer. However, given both sexes, it is the second most common species in absolute values.

According to urologist Luciano Cartavina, of the existing types of cancer that affect men, 18% will be in the prostate. “With a woman, to have an idea, 23% will be in the breast. So, a lot of people will get prostate cancer,” the doctor compares.

According to INCA, some of these tumors can grow rapidly, spread to other organs and possibly lead to death. Therefore, prostate examination is necessary to combat this cancer and should be performed annually, from the age of 50 for unaffected people in the family and white race, and from 40 for affected people in the family and black race.

“If you have a relative who has had prostate cancer, especially if you are black, you are three times more likely to get prostate cancer than white people. So, if you have a relative who has had prostate cancer and you are black, starting at age 40 you have to start tracking it,” he says. Kartavina says.