Epidemiological Factors and Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

• Autor(a) principal: Rodrigues, Romir
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Sales, Catarina Aparecida
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Saúde e Pesquisa (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.unicesumar.edu.br/index.php/saudpesq/article/view/2620
• topic: Prostate Cancer; Prostatic Antigen; Rectal Touch; Treatment; Carcinoma Prostático; Antígeno Prostático; Toque Retal; Tratamento; .

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancers in male adults and is one of the main problems in public health. Androgens and other factors are active agents for normal and malign prostatic cells growth. Specific Prostate Antigen (SPA) is the most important marker to detect, classify into stages and monitor PC. SPA serum levels increase with age and SPA coupled to other diagnostic methods, such as rectal touch, is highly relevant for the early detection of SPA. Since current investigation identifies and discusses aspects related to PC incidence, it forwards the concept, incidence, predisposing and diagnostic factors, treatments and preventive policies within the concept of public health. The paper comprises a review of integrative, descriptive and qualitative literature. Results show that in spite of the controversy on the effectiveness of rectal touch and SPA level for the early detection of prostate cancer, a high percentage of the male population undergo these tests. However, significant social and economical unequalities impair their access to many males. The non compliance in undergoing the test is related to knowledge deficit, bias and absence of symptoms.