By Andrea Hargraves 
Prostate cancer, remembered this month for the Blue November campaign, is the second most common cancer among men in Brazil (after only non-melanoma skin cancer), according to data from National Cancer Institute (INCA). It also has the second highest mortality rate after only lung cancer.
Looking at global data, prostate cancer is the most common tumor in the world among men over 50 years of age. According to US statistics, one in six men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. However, only one man out of 35 dies from this disease.
Prostate cancer is considered a serious disease, but most men who are diagnosed early do not die from it. Diagnosis is made with two tests: a digital rectal examination and a PSA. If any changes are found on the scans, a biopsy is required to confirm whether or not the disease is present.
A sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and unhealthy eating habits, as well as an increased life expectancy, are some of the risk factors that contribute to the increase in the number of new cases.
The Brazilian Urological Society warns that men over 50, even without symptoms, should seek a specialist for individual evaluation with the goal of early diagnosis of prostate cancer. “
Men in the risk group (black race or first-degree relatives with prostate cancer) should start testing earlier, after age 45. After 75 years, only men over 10 years of age will be able to make this assessment. Traceability should take place after a broad discussion of the potential risks and benefits, in a joint decision with the patient,” warns the entity.
In addition, many cases of prostate cancer in Brazil, about 20% of the total, are diagnosed in advanced stages, which makes treatment difficult.
As if that weren’t enough, there is still a gap between the treatments available at Complementary Health and SUS. Until the survey at the request of IVO in 2020, the public network had 10 treatments, including anti-hormonal drugs, chemotherapy and radiopharmaceuticals. In health plans, there were 15.
with information from Conquer the Cancer Institute
Imagem: shutterstock