Late detection of prostate cancer is increasing

MEXICO CITY (EFE).—Between 30 and 50 percent of prostate cancer cases in Latin America are diagnosed at the metastatic stage and half of them die within the first five years of diagnosis, so it is key to improve detection and access to treatment, said Antonio Alcaraz, head of the Urology Service at the Hospital Clínic in Barcelona and a specialist in uro-oncology. “While we (in Europe) diagnose only 5 to 10 percent of patients at the metastatic stage, in Latin America between 30 and 50 percent of prostate cancer is diagnosed as metastatic and that has a very direct implication in mortality,” said the specialist, who is visiting Mexico.

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer in the male population in the Americas, with 21.7% of cases, followed by lung cancer, with 9.5% of cases, and colorectal cancer, with 8%.

In Mexico alone, 25,000 cases of this type of cancer are detected each year, the second most common type of cancer in men in the world, and more than 7,500 deaths are reported from this cause, according to official figures.

The expert explained that in the region there are two scenarios due to the lack of timely diagnosis: one in which patients, not being diagnosed, develop the disease without any type of treatment and another in which those who are diagnosed, suffering from advanced cancer, have a high mortality rate. “It is a question of access to healthcare, since in populations with a lower socioeconomic level and in government public health programs, early diagnosis tests are implemented much less and that creates a serious asymmetry in the management of patients,” said Alcaraz.

He explained that early detection is key, since when the disease is diagnosed in its early stages, up to 80% of patients can be cured. “But even in patients that we cannot cure, there are certain treatments that allow us to prolong life and when used in earlier stages, their effectiveness is very high,” he explained.

Alcaraz, who has conducted research on cancer genetics, also stressed the fundamental role of the health system in timely diagnosis, especially because it requires primary care physicians who are able to detect whether a patient has the disease.

“I believe that they have a fundamental role in raising awareness. They should know that men over 50 years of age can start to get prostate cancer, that one in 10 of us will get prostate cancer and that 20% of those who get it will die,” he concluded. He also said that although there are currently innovative treatments for this disease, the great challenge in Latin America is to ensure that all patients can access them.

Finally, he emphasized the importance of prevention, for which it is key to know the risk factors.

He recalled that men who have or had a father with prostate cancer have a 25% chance of having cancer “if there are two direct relatives in the family line, it is already 40%, therefore, in these patients what needs to be done is an early diagnosis,” he said.

For the general population, the doctor recommended leading a healthy life, avoiding obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, improving their diet and seeking an early diagnosis.