going to the doctor should become a habit ???? RTV News

When children are children, they often hear phrases from their parents such as “a real man does not cry”, “if they catch him, he needs to defend himself” and many others that encourage them not to show emotions and weaknesses. This thought accompanies them into adulthood, when it is perceived as asking for help with issues related to physical and / or mental health. sign of vulnerability.

Women, on the other hand, developed the habit of health care a long time ago. To get an idea, the so-called “preventive” exists since 1943, it is the test for the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. For them, more than a habit, caring for themselves is a tradition that is passed from mother to daughter and includes other tests, such as breast cancer screening.

In the case of prostate cancer, the second leading cause of death from tumors in men, one of the main tests that facilitate the discovery of the disease did not appear until 1994. I am talking about the dose of PSA in the blood, which, in conjunction with the digital rectal examination, it allows the early diagnosis of the condition.

Alone among men there is a lack of tradition in connection with the search for these procedures. It adds a bit to fear and a false perception of immunity to disease. It is as if they believe in some kind of myth of the “superman”.

This myth directly affects the lives of these individuals in various ways. One consequence of this neglect is that, according to IBGE data, women live about seven years longer than they do.

According to the Ambulatory Information System (SIA), from 2016 to 2020, there was even a 49.9% increase in the demand for doctors by men: the jump went from 425 million visits to 637 million.

But the data from the National Health Program (PNS) for 2019 are not so encouraging. They show that 76.2% of the Brazilian population went to the doctor, with the highest proportion of patients being women. Among them, 82.3% made an appointment, while this figure was 69.4% among men.

living in the dark

These data are worrying, since less access to health can hide silent diseases, leaving them No treatment. Also, not going to a doctor’s office prevents you from getting quality information on prevention, particularly on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and also on family planning.

Proof of this is that, in a survey conducted by the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU) with male adolescents, we found that 44% of them did not use a condom in the first sexual intercourse and 35% did not use it or rarely use it . condoms As if that were not enough, 38.57% of the boys revealed that they did not even know how to use a condom.

The cycle of misinformation unfolds throughout adult life, contributing to easily preventable diseases that still occur frequently. This is the case of penile cancer, which can be prevented with simple measures, such as proper hygiene and the use of condoms.

However, between 2019 and 2020, we had 6,174 diagnoses of the disease, and no fewer than 1,092 of these patients needed to have the organ amputated, as they sought treatment at an advanced stage. It is a condition that gives clear signals that something is not right.

If even with symptoms there is a reluctance to seek medical help, the problem is even greater when the enemy is silent. Other urologic cancers, such as those of the prostate, kidney, and bladder, are initially asymptomatic. When they provoke some kind of manifestation, they are already in an advanced stage. There, treatment is more difficult.

With this reality in mind, the SBU has carried out several movements in favor of men’s health, such as the November Blue campaigns, which address prostate cancer; #VemProUro, which encourages male adolescents to go to the doctor; Red December, centered on ISTs; Treatment performed and urinate Is this normal ?, which treat urinary incontinence; among several other actions.

More recently, the SBU has also signed a technical cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Health to develop strategies for urological problems such as penile, testicular, prostate and bladder tumors, as well as benign prostatic hyperplasia, phimosis, urinary discomfort, erectile dysfunction. , vasectomy and STI updates.

Means will also be created to identify changes in patients with epispadias and hypospadias (when urine production is not in the head of the penis, but in another part of the organ), as well as to guide and support those who have tubes and use adults. adult diapers.

On this Men’s Day, July 15, it is very important that we raise this discussion and we change the culture that men don’t take care of themselves. Visiting the doctor for regular health evaluations, even if there are no symptoms that bother you, is essential to create better living conditions and gains in terms of longevity.

* Antonio Carlos Pompeo is a urologist and president of the Brazilian Society of Urology.