We have reached another Blue November, a month marked by the awareness campaign for the prevention of prostate cancer which, according to Inca (National Cancer Institute), is the second most common among men (behind only non-melanoma skin cancer).
Every year, 2 million new cases of the disease emerge, which has a silent beginning and can progress quickly.

Due to its severity, it is important that this topic be addressed in the most diverse environments, whether at work, in social circles, and even in the media. After all, early diagnosis is the most effective way to ensure assertive treatment, preventing the cancer from progressing to more advanced stages.

With this in mind, we, the CodeBlog team, have prepared a special article to inform you, the reader, about how technological resources contribute to the prevention and combat of prostate cancer. Read on and check it out:

The importance of technology in diagnosing prostate cancer

The technological advances aimed at the health sector perform in the early detection of various diseases and help prevent them from progressing to more advanced levels.
In the case of prostate cancer, even though the digital rectal exam is one of the most efficient methods, it can be complemented by the process of measuring prostate-specific antigen (PSA), integrated into the blood test.
For situations of more severe and complex tumors, there are even more effective diagnoses, such as the DX — Genomic Prostate Cancer (GPS), which analyzes 17 genes to find the most suitable treatment, evaluating the need for clinical interventions, surgical procedures with or without association to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Regarding prevention, there are platforms such as the Hereditary Prostate Cancer Panel, developed by Grupo Fleury, which provides a genetic panel for hereditary prostate cancer.
This is a process carried out through the next-generation sequencing (NGS) method that synchronously analyzes 19 DNA genes related to the disease, in order to detect potential genetic predispositions that could contribute to the development of the illness.

The contribution of technological resources in prostate cancer treatment

Indeed, the development of new technological resources is concentrated, above all, on prostate cancer treatments.
An example of this is a laparoscopy, a surgical procedure that is generally used to remove the gallbladder, and can also be recommended for prostate tumor removal surgeries. The minimally invasive procedure can be performed with the help of robotic surgery and its techniques, which ensure greater precision.
Another alternative is for the tumor removal to be carried out through the urethral canal itself, avoiding more complex surgical procedures that require a longer recovery period.
Although the high cost of robotic surgeries makes their large-scale use unfeasible, this procedure ensures a much less invasive treatment, in which pain and blood loss are significantly lower.
In addition, fewer painkillers are required and the hospitalization period is also shorter, making recovery smoother.
The trend is that, as technological advances intensify, the procedure will become more accessible.

Technology as a driving force behind telemedicine

In short, telemedicine is the practice of medicine at a distance, using communication technology to allow doctors and patients to interact and share medical information without being physically present in the same location.
The solution allows doctors and other healthcare professionals to monitor and track a patient's vital signs from a distance, facilitating the verification of the overall status and providing personalized and effective care.
In cases of critical or more serious patients, remote monitoring is fundamental, as it enables rapid intervention in case of an emergency, given that signals are frequently monitored.
Thus, it is possible to observe patients recovering in their homes through constant monitoring and with the comfort of a treatment carried out in a family environment.
In addition, the application of telemedicine also helps patients with chronic diseases to communicate with the professionals responsible for their treatment, who can generate reports on the progression of the condition in a fully automated way.

Technology and prevention

Although most technological resources are developed and aimed at simplifying and making prostate cancer treatments more comprehensive and accessible, the truth is that many of them also help prevent the disease. Telemedicine itself, mentioned earlier, for example, helps extend access to urologists and also in the search for an early diagnosis.
Furthermore, Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the examples of advanced technologies that can be used to detect prostate lesions. It is more sensitive than traditional methods and can be useful in the early identification of the disease.
Even though the tests are in-person, it is undeniable that the convenience of online consultations helps patients clear up doubts, break taboos, and free themselves from aspects that end up causing confusion and hindering diagnosis.
These resources are important, especially in the case of male patients, who still show quite a bit of resistance when seeking medical help.

We hope this article has helped you, as a man, turn your attention and actions toward self-care.
In addition to constant medical follow-up, it is important to adopt measures that contribute to maintaining health as a whole, such as, for example, a balanced diet combined with regular physical exercise. It is also essential to abandon harmful habits, such as excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption.
Although prostate cancer is an alarming disease, a diagnosis, when early, allows for a greater chance of a cure.
Therefore, if you are over 45 or have a case of the disease in your family, talk to your doctor and verify which tests should be performed.

Furthermore, keep an eye on the CodeBit

Blog. Soon, we will have new articles here. A big hug and see you in the next post!