The arrival of November always draws attention to the use of the color blue by various public and private bodies, as part of a national initiative to prevent prostate cancer. The movement, called Blue November, was created with the same objectives as Pink October, which warns women about breast cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men (behind non-melanoma skin cancer), according to the National Cancer Institute (INCA). The prostate is a gland that only men have and which is located in the lower abdomen.

The awareness campaign is important because one of the biggest villains related to prostate cancer is prejudice. This is because the most common and safest way to detect the disease is through the rectal examination, which allows the doctor to assess whether there are nodules or hardened tissues in the region that indicate the presence of tumors. As a result, a large number of men avoid the examination, causing the disease to be diagnosed late.  A survey carried out by Datafolha, commissioned by the Lado a Lado pela Vida Institute, showed that only 19% of men between the ages of 18 and 70 have had their breasts examined at least once. The rate rises to 56% when it comes to men over 50.

What Blue November is and how it came about

According to the Ministry of Health, in 2011 the Lado a Lado pela Vida Institute started the 'Blue November' campaign with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of early diagnosis of prostate cancer, the most common cancer among Brazilian men after skin cancer. According to INCA, in Brazil there are almost 72,000 new diagnoses of the disease and 16,300 deaths a year as a result.
 
Through discussions on the subject, the Ministry of Health and the National Cancer Institute began to publicize important actions and the date became the largest national movement in favour of men's health.

How to identify prostate cancer

The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that weighs around 20 grams and resembles a chestnut. It is located below the bladder and its function is to produce and store prostatic fluid which, together with the seminal fluid produced by the seminal vesicles and the sperm produced in the testicles, forms semen.
 
Cancer occurs when prostate cells multiply uncontrollably, giving rise to a malignant tumor. These cells grow so uncontrollably that they begin to invade other parts of the gland. In more advanced cases, prostate cancer cells can travel through the body and settle in other organs, forming new tumors known as metastases.
 
Generally, the diagnosis is higher among men over 45 and who have risk factors such as a family history of prostate cancer (father, brother and uncle), obesity and race, since black men have a higher incidence of this type of cancer. From the age of 50, the chance of developing the disease affects any man, regardless of risk factors.
 
According to the Ministry of Health, men generally have to undergo routine examinations, which can identify prostate cancer at an early stage and increase the patient's chances of a cure. Even in the absence of symptoms, men aged 45 and over with risk factors, or 50 and without these factors, should go to the urologist to discuss the rectal examination, which allows the doctor to assess changes in the gland, and the PSA blood test.

Prostate Cancer Prevention

According to information from INCA, prostate cancer usually has no symptoms in its early stages and when some signs start to appear, around 95% of tumors are already at an advanced stage, making it difficult to cure. The only sure way to cure prostate cancer is with early diagnosis.
 
INCA data shows that around 20% of patients with prostate cancer are diagnosed by rectal examination alone, reinforcing its importance for early diagnosis and treatment. Other preventive measures include a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, grains and whole grains, reducing fat consumption and doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, maintaining a weight appropriate to your height and identifying and treating hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol problems properly. Reducing alcohol consumption and not smoking are fundamental measures for maintaining good health.

How to treat prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is divided into four stages, the first of which is considered to be the initial stage, with excellent treatment options, and the last of which is considered to be the most serious form of the disease. The removal of the organ by surgery is indicated for most cases, according to information from INCA.
 
Surgery is always accompanied by other procedures and therapies, depending on the stage of the tumor. It is common for surgery to be accompanied by external and/or internal radiotherapy sessions among patients with stages between one and three. Active observation is also applied in the early stages for older men (over 75) or those with other serious health problems. In these cases, the best option may be not to carry out any immediate treatment in the case of low-aggressiveness prostate cancer, sparing patients from side effects.
 
Hormone therapy, chemotherapy and treatment for bone metastases are also procedures that can be adopted during treatment, depending on the medical assessment.

Find out more:

• Pink October: Breast cancer prevention and treatment