Brazil Expands Novembro Azul Efforts as Prostate Cancer Care for Men Under 50 Rises 32% in SUS

Overview

• Ministry of Health data show prostate cancer attendances for men up to 49 years old in the public system rose from 2,500 in 2020 to 3,300 in 2024, a 32% increase.
• Within SUS, most procedures for these patients were chemotherapy (about 84%–85%), followed by oncologic surgeries (10%–12%) and radiotherapy (3%–4%).
• The Hospital Municipal Dr. Alberto Tolentino Sotelo held a Nov 4 clinic day with 67 scheduled urology consultations and physiotherapy support to draw men into care.
• Itaperuna’s health department launched its local campaign urging men—especially from age 40—to seek screening, with officials prioritizing access throughout November.
• Clinical guidance reiterated routine screening at 50 for average risk and 45 for higher risk groups, noting that early-stage disease is often silent and best detected by PSA tests and digital rectal exams, with stigma still a major barrier.