Prostate cancer in Brazil and Latin America: epidemiology and screening.
BACKGROUND
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.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Departamento Urologia, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brasil.
Rafael Rocha
RR
Tourinho-Barbosa
Departamento Urologia, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brasil.
Antonio Carlos Lima
AC
Pompeo
Departamento Urologia, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brasil.
Sidney
S
Glina
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D014943:Global Health; D006077:Government Agencies; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen
Epidemiology; Latin America; Prostatic Neoplasms