Photo: Cliniimagem/Disclosure

According to the European Association of Urology and the US National Cancer Network, MRI should be considered as the initial approach in patients with clinically suspected cancer. Data from the organizations shows that up to 40% of people who have a biopsy without prior MRI and a negative result eventually develop prostate cancer when the biopsy is repeated but under MRI guidance. Moreover, up to 25% of patients would not need a biopsy if they had an imaging study first.

Specialist Alexandre Salgado Boneti, radiologist at the Cliniimagem clinic, believes that MRI is promising for men. “This is because for the first time we have the ability to diagnose a nodule inside the prostate. An MRI, unlike an ultrasound or tomography, can show the node when it is still tiny, inside the prostate, before it invades any organ and before it metastasizes. And as we gain experience with this new method, it will become more common,” explains the radiologist.

Alexander also warns that men should see a urologist from the age of 50, in cases where there is no history of prostate cancer in the family. “If he is obese or if he has someone in the family, a brother, a father, who suffers from prostate cancer, this man will have to see a urologist from the age of 45,” he emphasizes.

The radiologist at Cliniimagem also notes that digital rectal examination is still very important in this process, but it is not as sensitive, meaning it does not detect all nodules. “When a physician can detect a nodule during a rectal exam, the patient’s likelihood of developing cancer is very high, so resonance remains very important and can give the patient a better chance of cure,” he notes. .

“That’s why Blue November is so important,” says the doctor, adding: “Bringing attention to the importance of men’s health. Not only for prostate cancer, but also in relation to health in general, diet, adequate weight and height, physical activity. These are all measures to prevent prostate cancer and prevent all diseases in general,” concludes the radiologist.

Details about the male month

• The Blue November campaign began 20 years ago in Australia. The initiative was created by a group of friends who decided to grow a mustache in November to raise awareness of men’s health and raise funds for prostate cancer research. The movement, called “movember” – a combination of the words “musache”, which means “mustache” in English, and “november”, which means “November”, – gained popularity and spread to other countries, including Brazil.
• Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men in all regions of the country, second only to non-melanoma skin tumors. An estimated 71,730 new cases of prostate cancer will be reported annually in Brazil between 2023 and 2025. Currently, it is the second cause of cancer mortality among the male population, which once again confirms its epidemiological significance in the country.
• Age is a major risk factor for prostate cancer, with higher incidence observed in men from the sixth decade of life, as well as a family history of prostate cancer before 60 years of age and obesity in advanced histological types. Also highlighted is work-related chemical exposure, which accounts for 1% of prostate cancer cases.

Source: Ministry of Health and INCA.