Blue November: targeted therapies and new drugs demonstrate positive results in the fight against prostate cancer Prostate cancer is at the center of the Blue November campaign, which every year aims to raise public awareness of men’s healthcare. This type of tumor is the second most common among Brazilian men, […]
Blue November: targeted therapies and new drugs demonstrate positive results in the fight against malignant prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is at the heart of the Blue November campaign, which each year aims to raise awareness of men’s healthcare. This type of cancer is the second most common among Brazilian men, behind only non-melanoma skin cancer.
According to statistics collected by the National Cancer Institute (INCA), the estimate is that around 71 thousand new cases will be diagnosed in 2023.
Blue November
The penultimate month of the year is marked by the countryside Blue Novemberin order to raise awareness among the population of the need for early diagnosis of prostate cancer, possible through preventive tests. “Prostate cancer is a disease that occurs due to uncontrolled replication of prostate cells, leading to a malignant tumor. Therefore, older individuals have a greater risk of developing the disease,” warns oncologist Dr. Ramon Andrade de Mello, vice-president of the Brazilian Society of Cancerology, post-doctoral clinician at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust (England) and honorary researcher at the University of Oxford (England).
Prostate cancer and early diagnosis
“From the age of 40, a regular check-up by the doctor is recommended, with PSA measurement and an adequate physical examination”, reinforces the doctor. He emphasizes that early diagnosis of the disease increases the chances of successful treatment, which is indicated on a case-by-case basis. “We generally use the same tools as other cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and even chemotherapy,” says Dr. Ramon.
New treatment methods
In addition to the standard treatments already used against prostate cancer, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, there are new alternative methods on the market that have proven effective against the disease. But it is a fact that early diagnosis, enhanced by the campaign Blue Novemberit is essential to increase the chances of curing the condition.
But the doctor points out that, in addition to common methods, numerous positive results are appearing through targeted therapies and new drugs in the treatment of this type of cancer. “Targeted therapies represent an important technological advance for oncology. With them it is possible to locate cellular targets and manipulate them to prevent the development of tumors,” says the expert.
New drugs in the fight against prostate cancer
Although the greatest innovations in the treatment of prostate cancer are targeted therapies, positive results have also been demonstrated with radioactive drugs, such as Lutetium 177. “Lutetium 177 is a drug recently approved by Anvisa. This drug has demonstrated effectiveness in treating of patients with metastatic prostate cancer who have not responded well to conventional approaches”, explains the doctor.
Additionally, other types of treatment, such as high-intensity focused therapy (HIFU), may also be used. “This is a minimally invasive procedure used in conditions that are still in their early stages. In it, a probe is inserted into the patient’s rectum, emitting ultrasonic energy to destroy tumor cells,” he explains.
Understanding the disease
Prostate cancer can be caused by several factors, the most common of which are age, family history and genetic changes. “The main signs of prostate cancer include urinary changes (frequency, reduced flow, delay, burning or pain during urination) and the presence of blood in the semen”, underlines the specialist.
Cancer prevention is key!
“The disease does not always show signs, sometimes it is silent. This is why early screening and prevention methods are considered essential”, adds the doctor.
Mello emphasizes that, although it affects older people, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. “To prevent prostate cancer, it is recommended to adopt a healthy diet, exercise, control weight and have regular sexual activity,” he concludes.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
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