Prostate Cancer Kills 50 Men a Day in Brazil; See How to Identify the Disease

About 18.5 thousand men died in 2025 in Brazil from prostate cancer. This represents an average of 50 deaths per day, according to data from the Ministry of Health released by the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU).

The scenario worries experts. From 2017 to September 2025, more than 160,000 deaths from the disease were recorded in the country. In addition, the number of deaths in 2025 was 20% higher than the recorded ten years earlier, when 15,400 deaths were counted.

It is estimated that more than 77,000 new cases will be diagnosed in Brazil in 2025, making prostate cancer the most common type of cancer among men, disregarding non-melanoma skin tumors.

Despite the numbers, there is important information: when identified at an early stage, prostate cancer has about a 90% chance of cure, according to the SBU.

The great challenge is that the disease usually does not present symptoms at first. Therefore, many men only seek medical attention when the tumor is already advanced.

In these cases, signs such as blood in the urine or semen, increased urinary frequency, weak or interrupted jet of urine, erectile dysfunction and bone pain may appear.

A silent disease in its early stages, such as prostate cancer, which offers at this early stage a 90% chance of healing, it needs to be sought and traced, as waiting for symptoms to appear can lead to a loss of chance of healing. Expecting to feel pain or having difficulty urinating often means arriving too late for diagnosis,” said SBU president Roni Carvalho Fernandes.

November Blue reinforces the importance of prevention

During the month of November, the Brazilian Society of Urology promotes the November Blue campaign, which seeks to make men aware of the risks of prostate cancer and the importance of early diagnosis.

The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system responsible for producing part of the fluid that makes up semen and helps nourish and protect sperm.

According to the organization, the campaign also aims to encourage men to take better care of their health.

The Brazilian man, historically, cares less than the woman. And this campaign is a chance for this man to take the lead in his own health and come to understand that prevention and early diagnosis is also a man’s attitude,” explains the president of the SBU.

The entity notes that there has been a change in behavior in the last two decades, with greater male concern regarding urological and reproductive health.

“This is an important cultural change. The man, who before did not want to hear about going to the urologist, now seeks information and schedules his consultations more naturally. However, the challenge remains huge,” he said.

What tests help identify prostate cancer?

The evaluation of the prostate usually involves two tests: PSA, which measures the concentration of the specific prostate antigen in the blood, and rectal touch, which allows the doctor to evaluate the size, shape, and texture of the gland.

If the results indicate suspicion of tumor, additional examinations and a biopsy may be requested to confirm the diagnosis.

The SBU’s recommendation is for men over the age of 50 to seek a urologist for an individualized assessment. Those with risk factors, such as a family history of prostate cancer, black men and people with obesity, should seek this assessment from the age of 45.

What's new in SUS treatment

Among the novelties announced for 2026 is the incorporation of robot-assisted prostate surgery into the Unified Health System (SUS). In addition, the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) approved the implementation of new treatment modalities, such as high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and cryoblating.

HIFU is a minimally invasive technique that uses ultrasound waves concentrated directly in the tumor region. The energy applied causes the destruction of cancerous tissue.

Cryotherapy uses thin needles introduced into the affected region to release a gas that freezes tumor tissue, leading to the destruction of cancer cells.

The new technologies expand the possibilities of treatment and represent advances in the approach of the disease. (The norms are from Agência Brasil)

Project changes rules to incorporate technologies in SUS