Lawyer Jorge Gomez de Coto, 64, was diagnosed with prostate cancer even after years of undergoing regular check-ups since he was 50. The discovery of the disease in April 2023 came after a personal intuition. Although he had already had two previous negative biopsies, he insisted on a new investigation when his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test rose again.
“My PSA level began to rise again. I had already had two biopsies, both of which showed only benign enlargement, but something inside me said that everything was not right. The doctors said that it was not necessary to do a new test right away, because the physical examination did not indicate anything abnormal, but the gut feeling told me that I might have cancer,” recalls Jorge.
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This type of uncertainty in the PSA test is common, because it is not a definitive diagnostic test in itself. According to radiologist Wilson José de Almeida, president of the Brazilian Society of Radiotherapy (SBRT), this examination is an indicator that should be evaluated more deeply.
“PSA is a useful marker, but it is not cancer-specific. There are many benign conditions or conditions that can alter its levels, requiring a more in-depth clinical evaluation. Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity of PSA and DRE together present some limitations, so it is important to evaluate the results in conjunction with the patient and their specific risk factors.”
Prostate cancer
- Prostate cancer It is most common among menAfter skin, according to the Ministry of Health.
- In the early stages, prostate cancer may not have any symptoms. The most common signs include difficulty urinating, a delay in starting and finishing urination, blood in the urine, decreased urine flow, and the need to go to the bathroom often during the day or night.
- to The causes are not completely known, But some factors such as age, family history, obesity, diet, smoking and exposure to chemicals can increase the risk.
- The disease is It was confirmed after biopsyWhich is inferred when there is any change in the blood test (PSA) or digital rectal examination, which is prescribed based on the suspicion of the specialist doctor.
Jorge knew that many men only discover the disease later, when the possibilities of treating it are very limited, which is why he decided to act before time became the enemy. He describes this insistence as “divine inspiration” and strong intuition, which prompted him to perform the third and final biopsy.
“I thought this way: If the test shows something, I start treatment early and have a better chance of recovery; if it shows nothing, I’m at peace. So, the insistence came from that inner voice and responsibility for my health,” he says.
Cancer treatment
When the diagnosis was finally confirmed as habitual acinar adenocarcinoma, there was no surprise, and the lawyer described himself as ready to fight. “Obviously it’s a scary thing to confirm, I wish it wouldn’t happen, but today having cancer is not a death sentence,” he says. “I have always been a fighter and this disease will not be the one that takes me down without a fight or a laugh.”
Since then, family and friends have been mainstays. The decision to publicly tell them about the diagnosis expanded Jorge’s support network, but also raised awareness among colleagues of the importance of frequent preventive testing.
Georgie’s tumor was the most common type of prostate cancer and its treatment depended on the stage at which the disease was discovered. In his case, the chosen strategy was IMRT, an advanced type of treatment that allows cancer cells to be targeted more precisely while sparing healthy cells.
Jorge says that through his story he began to encourage friends to take their exams more regularly
The response was so positive that the lawyer had no physical consequences. However, he maintained constant medical monitoring and increased his interest in his health.
“I changed my diet, got rid of sausages, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages and greatly reduced sugar, red meat, fat and fried foods. I started eating more fruit, fish, eggs and vegetables and drinking more water. I also started walking daily and invested more time in dedicating myself to others at Lar de Frei Louise, keeping in touch with other cancer patients to support them,” he says.
Today, Jorge is living in remission and promotes the importance of self-care and prevention. He encourages other men to overcome prejudice regarding exams to avoid unnecessary risks.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a tumor that develops in the gland located below the bladder, which is responsible for part of semen production. It is the most common type among men, after skin cancer, and its symptoms often do not appear in the initial stage, which means that it goes unnoticed for years. Therefore, early diagnosis through routine examinations is essential.
Even as campaigns progress, prostate cancer remains the most common type among Brazilian men. According to the National Cancer Institute (INCA), Brazil is expected to record more than 71,000 new cases by the end of 2025.
This number, in addition to Jorge’s story, reinforces the importance of early diagnosis, which can increase the chances of treatment for about 98% of cases discovered at an early stage.
When cancer is discovered, there are several ways to treat it, from simple observation to surgical removal of the prostate or radiation therapy. However, without an annual visit to the urologist, it is not possible to know whether there is a tumor and whether it needs treatment.
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