Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Portuguese men. The trend is global

The number of prostate cancer diagnoses will double over the next two decades, rising from 1.4 million cases in 2020 to 2.9 million in 2040. The math: 330 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every hour.

These figures were published on Thursday in a Lancet Commission report on prostate cancer, which also warns that an increase in deaths associated with this tumor is expected. Our estimates indicate that deaths from prostate cancer will rise by 85%, from 375,000 cases in 2020, to nearly 700,000 by 2040. document.

According to the latest data from the National Oncology Registry (RON), referring to the year 2020, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Portuguese men, with 5,776 new cases of the disease detected that year. But the trend is global: Prostate cancer affects men more than men around the world In Europe alone, it is responsible for 330,000 new cases every year.

But despite being the most common, it is not the one that kills the most in Portugal. For men, after lung cancer (19.4%), the cancer that caused the most deaths in 2020 was colorectal cancer (13.2%) and prostate cancer (11.3%), according to RON.

For the report's authors, combating this cancer is one of the biggest challenges in the coming years, as they recognize that “this increase in cases cannot be avoided solely through lifestyle changes or public health interventions, and governments must prepare strategies to deal with it.” “With this,” even knowing that the world will move in two steps, with marked differences in access and treatment even in more developed countries, such as the United States, where citizens “cannot” obtain “high-quality care” due to “inadequate insurance coverage.” [de saúde]”.

As with any other type of cancer, early diagnosis is the best weapon that can curb mortality, but to achieve this, the study says, “early diagnosis systems need to incorporate new sets of staff and integrate the growing power of cancer.” Artificial intelligence to help interpret scans and biopsy samples.”

The panelists are also calling for the training of more “specialist surgeons” and investment in radiotherapy equipment, especially in countries with less economic strength, where the disease can be more devastating.