Blue November and prostate cancer: the importance of clinical research in prevention and treatment

The month of November is marked by the Blue November campaign, which seeks to raise awareness and break the taboos surrounding prostate cancer, a disease that affects millions of men around the world. 

Awareness and greater knowledge about the disease encourages early diagnosis, which is fundamental to increasing the chances of a cure once the cancer is discovered. 

The numbers and the stigma of prevention

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men throughout Brazil, second only to non-melanoma skin tumors. 

It is estimated that in Brazil there will be 71,730 new cases of prostate cancer between 2023 and 2025. Unfortunately, the disease represents the second leading cause of death in the male population, drawing attention to its epidemiological power in the country.

The lack of information and the stigma surrounding prostate cancer unfortunately still contribute to late diagnosis. A survey carried out and published by SAÚDE magazine reveals that 35% of men over the age of 50 have never had a rectal examination, and the same proportion avoid seeing a urologist regularly.

The main risk factor for prostate cancer is age, which is more prevalent in men aged 60 and over, as well as a family history of prostate cancer before the age of 60 and obesity for advanced histological types. 

The important role of clinical research in treatment

In oncology, clinical research is responsible for evaluating and defining innovative treatments that can guarantee longer survival and a better quality of life for prostate cancer patients. 

For many, participation in clinical trials represents the opportunity to access innovative treatments, with the best therapeutic options available for specific cases.

These studies not only make more effective treatments possible, but also promote and encourage the development of new drugs and therapies aimed at fighting cancer, with significant improvement in the disease and its control.

Every year, new studies are carried out, which contribute to the development of new treatments and approaches to cancer.

The main impacts of clinical research in oncology are:

• Increased survival
• Improved quality of life
• Development of new treatments
• Development of new approaches
• Improved understanding of the disease
• Reduced treatment costs

Advances in prostate cancer treatment

Prostate cancer is a disease that mostly affects men aged 60 and over. This group accounts for 75% of all cases of the disease.

Traditional treatments for prostate cancer include surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Surgery is the removal of the prostate, which can be carried out through an incision in the abdomen or through robotic surgery. Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells. Hormone therapy blocks the production of testosterone, the hormone that stimulates the growth of prostate cancer.

The use of technology is becoming increasingly necessary, as it offers patients greater prospects of a cure. In modern urology, for example, the use of robotics has been improved for the removal of tumors, with a faster post-operative process, guaranteeing a more effective and promising treatment.

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment that has evolved and offers good results. The number of sessions for patients with prostate tumors has decreased considerably, making the process more efficient and affordable.

How to prevent prostate cancer?

The recommendation for prevention is related to maintaining an adequate body weight, within the health indicators and also in the routine of healthy habits, such as: doing physical activity, eating a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol and not smoking, in order to avoid the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer. 

In the event of any suspicious signs or symptoms, men should immediately go to the health service for diagnostic investigation and, if there are any suspicious alterations, proceed to diagnostic confirmation with a histopathological examination. 

The importance of specialized logistics in oncology

The responsibility for specialized logistics for cancer drugs and clinical research requires a high level of expertise and knowledge, as cancer drugs and clinical research products are highly sensitive and require special storage and transport conditions.

The main responsibilities are:

• Protect products from damage or contamination
• Ensuring that products reach their correct destination on time
• Reduce storage and transportation costs
• Enabling access to all types of medicines and research supplies

A FIC Company is a specialist in the supply of national and international medicines, integrated logistics for clinical research, the pharmaceutical industry, CRO (Contract Research Organization) and Bioequivalence Centers, with intelligent solutions that guarantee safety, quality and end-to-end tracking.