Prostate cancer in Brazil and Latin America: epidemiology and screening

Abstract

Introduction: Prostate cancer is one of the tumors with higher incidence and mortality among men in the World. Epidemiological data are influenced by life expectancy of population, available diagnostic methods, correct collection of data and quality of health services. Screening of the disease is not standardized around the World. Up till now there is no consensus about the risks versus benefits of early detection. There are still missing data about this pathology in Latin America.

Objective: to revise current epidemiologic situation and early diagnosis policies of prostate cancer in Brazil and Latin America.

Materials and methods: Medline, Cochrane Library and SciELO databases were reviewed on the subject of epidemiology and screening of prostate cancer. Screening research was performed in websites on national public health organizations and Latin America. Screening recommendations were obtained from those governmental organizations and from Latin American urological societies and compared to the most prominent regulatory agencies and societies of specialists and generalists from around the World.

Results: Brazil and Latin America have a special position in relation to incidence and mortality of prostate cancer. In Brazil, it occupies the first position regarding incidence of cancer in men and the second cause of mortality. Central America has the highest rate of mortality of the continent with lower incidence/mortality ratios. Screening recommendations are very distinct, mainly among regulatory organs and urological societies.

Conclusion: prostate cancer epidemiology is an important health public topic. Data collection related to incidence and mortality is still precarious, especially in less developed countries. It is necessary to follow-up long term screening studies results in order to conclude its benefits.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Latin America; Prostatic Neoplasms.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.

Figures

Figure 1. Incidence and mortality rates in World per 100.000 inhabitants source: GLOBOCAN, 2012.

Figure 2. Crude rates of incidence of prostate cancer, per 100.000 men, estimated for the year 2014, according to Federation Units.

Figure 3. Mortality rates of prostate cancer, per 100.000 men, adjusted to World population. Brazil, 2012.

Figure 4. Incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer in each American country, 2012.

Figure 5. Estimate of new cases and deaths due to prostate cancer in 2012 and 2030, in the Americas.

Figure 6. Incidence/mortality ratio of prostate cancer, compared to gnp per capita per country, 2012.