Prostate Cancer: A Silent Threat Killing 48 Brazilian Men Daily

Influencer Lito Sousa, 59, publicly shared his prostate cancer diagnosis, discovered during routine check-ups despite regular medical monitoring, including rectal exams. Although he always took care of his health, previous exams failed to detect the adenocarcinoma, described as intermediate aggressiveness. He is undergoing surgery as the disease is currently confined to the prostate. Prostate cancer remains a significant public health issue in Brazil, claiming the lives of 17,587 men in 2024, averaging 48 deaths per day. This represents a 21% increase in mortality over the past decade. However, when detected early and confined to the prostate, the cure rate exceeds 90%. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Brazilian men, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, with an estimated 71,700 new cases annually according to INCA. While most cases occur after age 50, there is a notable increase in diagnoses among younger men, with a 32% rise in related procedures in men up to 49 years old between 2020 and 2024. Experts attribute this rise to increased access to diagnostics and population aging, suggesting earlier detection rather than a proportional increase in individual risk. The disease is often asymptomatic in its early stages, with diagnosis frequently occurring through routine tests or further investigation. The prostate gland, located below the bladder, produces seminal fluid, and cancer arises from uncontrolled cell multiplication. The primary challenge is its silent nature; symptoms typically appear only in advanced stages. Potential symptoms, which can also indicate benign conditions, include urinary difficulties, weak or interrupted urine flow, blood in urine or semen, painful urination, and bone pain. Diagnosis involves a combination of PSA blood tests, rectal exams, and imaging like multiparametric MRI, with confirmation by biopsy. Screening recommendations vary, generally starting around age 45 for most men, and earlier for those with a family history. Treatment strategies are tailored to the tumor's aggressiveness, patient age, and disease extent, ranging from active surveillance for low-risk cases to surgery or radiotherapy for localized tumors, and multimodal therapies for advanced disease. Regular follow-up and early detection are emphasized as crucial for survival.