Prostate cancer stands as the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among men, yet it often advances in silence during its earliest stages, as medical experts detailed during awareness campaigns.
Prostate Cancer May Show No Early Warning Signs
- Prostate cancer frequently presents zero warning signs or urinary changes early on, meaning feeling completely healthy does not rule out the disease.
- Diagnostic evaluations rely on both a blood test measuring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and a digital rectal examination to accurately assess the gland.
- When detected while still localized within the prostate gland, treatment options carry a high probability of successful clinical outcomes.
Myths and Realities Surrounding Early Detection
According to figures from the Cuenta de Alto Costo, prostate cancer accounts for one in every four new cancer diagnoses among men in Colombia, making it the most prevalent tumor in that demographic.
“En sus etapas iniciales, la enfermedad puede no producir síntomas. Por eso, sentirse bien no es suficiente para descartarla,” Torres told La Nación.
Of the new prostate cancer cases that were staged using the TNM system, 41.72 percent were in stage II, while 22.13 percent had reached stage IV, La Nación reported.
In Argentina, 11.600 annual prostate cancer cases are diagnosed, positioning it as the most frequent male tumor and the third leading cause of cancer mortality behind lung and colon malignancies, urologist Pablo Dédola told InfoPico.
“Agarrado a tiempo es un cáncer de los más curables que tenemos,” Dédola told InfoPico.
Urologist Jesús Cubillo noted during a broadcast with Radio Independiente that approximately one in seven or eight men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime.
The Diagnostic Duo and Cultural Barriers
To identify the malignancy before it spreads, medical professionals rely on what Torres terms the dynamic duo: the prostate-specific antigen blood test and the digital rectal examination, as reported by La Nación.
Medical surgeon and epidemiologist Rebeca Cáceres explained to La Nación that the rectal exam evaluates the consistency of the gland, noting that a healthy prostate feels soft, whereas alterations present as firmer or irregular textures.
Cáceres added to La Nación that 80 percent of prostate tumors locate within the peripheral zone of the gland, making direct palpation through the adjacent rectal wall an effective anatomical screening method.
Urologist Fabián Yaber and provincial cancer control director Alejandro Chinellato spoke about regional initiatives during Noviembre Azul events at the Juan Manuel Fangio Municipal Autodrome in Rosario, as reported by El Ciudadano.
Treatment Pathways and Hormonal Management
In Paraguay, data from the Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social indicate that men aged 60 and older account for more than 90 percent of all medical consultations related to malignant prostate tumors across 2025 and 2026.
| Metric / Variable | Reported Clinical Data | Source / Region |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Diagnoses | 11.600 cases per year | Argentina (InfoPico) |
| Age Concentration | >90% of attendances in men aged 60+ | Paraguay (MSPBS) |
| Tumor Localization | 80% located in peripheral zone | La Nación Reporting |
Screening Ages Depend on Family History
Individuals with a direct family history of prostate cancer in a father or brother should initiate clinical screenings between ages 40 and 45, whereas individuals with a standard risk profile should begin screenings at age 50, according to medical consensus outlined across regional health reports.
References
- Cuenta de Alto Costo. National Cancer Registry Statistics. Colombia.
- Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social. Registro de Atenciones Oncológicas. Paraguay.
- Diario La Nación. OnConnecta Latam 2026 Medical Coverage.
- InfoPico. Entrevista sobre Prevención en Salud Masculina.
