Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men.
Approximately 17.8% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, and 3 to 4% will die of this disease.
In the next 20 years, the number of new cases diagnosed in Western countries will continue to increase, which reflects an increase in the incidence and prevalence of this type of cancer. In the United States, the expected number of new cases in 2005 is 230,110, which in 2025 will reach 380,000. This is a real public health problem, not only because of the consequences at the individual level, but also because of the enormous costs associated with the treatment of this cancer. In fact, in addition to its frequency, prostate cancer is responsible for complications that significantly affect the patient's quality of life. Although its mortality has recently started to decline, the morbidity and cumulative costs of the various treatments for localized disease and biochemical failures are substantial.
From a clinical point of view and also from a public health point of view, there are three avenues to control the disease and to reduce the associated mortality: early detection and treatment, the development of new strategies for the treatment of advanced disease, and, finally, prevention. Given the known problems associated with the first route and the lack of results obtained with the second, prevention becomes an important aspect to be developed.
From a clinical point of view and also from a public health point of view, there are three avenues to control the disease and to reduce the associated mortality: early detection and treatment, the development of new strategies for the treatment of advanced disease, and, finally, prevention. Given the known problems associated with the first route and the lack of results obtained with the second, prevention becomes an important aspect to be developed.
