Number of patients up to 49 years old grew from 2020 to 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Health
The number of consultations among men up to 49 years of age to treat prostate cancer increased by 32% in Brazil from 2020 to 2024. 2,500 consultations were provided in 2020 and 3,300 in 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Health.
Prostate cancer mainly concerns men aged 65, but younger men, under 49, also suffer from the problem. Among those treated by the SUS (Unified Health System), the majority of procedures corresponded to chemotherapy (around 84% to 85%), followed by oncological surgeries (10% to 12%) and radiotherapy (3% to 4%).
According to the urologist specializing in male sexual and reproductive health care, Rafael Ambar, the increase in the number of treatments is related to the demand for care and not necessarily the growth in the number of cases. Associated with this is the expansion of the health care network across the country and awareness about the disease.
“Younger men have shown themselves to be more interested in taking care of their health and undergoing urological monitoring. This change in behavior is influenced by the current ease of access to information, increased life expectancy and the desire for healthy aging. There is also an interesting movement, although discreet, to reduce prejudice related to visits to the urologist. Despite this, awareness work is still necessary”says Amber.
When diagnosed early, the disease has a 90% chance of cure. In the early stages, prostate cancer is asymptomatic. But, in more advanced stages, the disease can cause difficulty and the need to urinate many times a day, in addition to a weak stream of urine, the presence of blood in the urine and/or semen – which causes pain in the pelvis, hips and back.
“The emergence of the problem is associated with the aging of the body, genetic predisposition, obesity and behaviors that are harmful to health, such as smoking and a sedentary lifestyle. The problem is identified through a screening test for the disease [exame de sangue para identificar o Antígeno Prostático Específico e o exame de toque retal]”says the urologist.
According to the doctor, it is necessary for men to be monitored annually from the age of 40, for those with cases of the problem in the family and, from the age of 50, for the general population. Prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among men, the 1st being skin cancer (non-melanoma), according to Inca (National Cancer Institute).
With information from .
