Telehealth and technological advances open up yet another possibility for men to monitor their health and diagnose diseases such as prostate cancer early.
Men often face significant challenges in seeking proper health care. One of the main reasons lies in the influence of culture and social expectations related to masculinity, where expressing vulnerability or health concerns is sometimes discouraged. There is an ingrained idea that men should be strong, resilient and not show weakness, which can prevent them from seeking medical care. This culture is compounded by a lack of awareness of the importance of preventive care and a neglect of prioritizing health due to personal or professional responsibilities.
Additionally, lack of adequate access to health care services, whether due to financial, geographical or time constraints, can also be a significant barrier for many men. These factors combined often result in delaying or skipping medical care, which can have negative long-term impacts.
In the case of prostate cancer, data from the Oncoguia Institute reveals that one in nine men will be diagnosed with the disease during his lifetime. It occurs mainly in older men. Six in ten cases are diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, and it is rare before the age of 40. Among the malignant tumors that affect men, this is by far the most common.
Anyone who thinks that technology cannot make a difference in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer, supporting and helping to provide access to care and information, is mistaken. Although the digital rectal exam is one of the main methods for early diagnosis of this disease, telehealth and emerging technologies are transforming men's approach to health care.
“Telemedicine offers the opportunity for virtual consultations, allowing men to talk to health professionals, discuss symptoms and receive guidance on preventive exams, including prostate cancer screening. In addition, we see new technologies emerging on the market, such as remote monitoring devices and personalized health apps,” highlights Michele Alves, executive manager of Saúde Digital Brasil (SDB).
According to her, these technologies are essential to help men track and monitor their health, providing valuable data that can assist doctors in early diagnosis and preventative intervention. Such innovations not only make care more accessible, but also help foster a continuum of care mindset, encouraging men to take an active role in their health in a more holistic and less invasive way.
The use of data, for example, available in electronic medical records and digital prescription platforms, also supports doctors and patients, making the consultation and prescription time is faster, safer and smarter, in addition to facilitating adherence to treatment.
“Clinical notes, for example, about the patient’s progress during the consultation are saved and available in a history. This way, the doctor can access them whenever necessary. In addition, it is possible to register allergies and patient conditions to better support clinical decision-making,” he emphasizes. Thiago Julio, medical director at Memed, a digital prescription platform.
Men go to the doctor less than women and digital health can help
Data extracted from Memed indicate that, between 2019 and 2022, approximately 514 thousand patients had consultations with urologists or proctologists. In the same period, the search for consultations and preventive exams among women was 81%, against 18% among men. Also in this period, approximately 212 thousand exams, related to prostate cancer screening, were prescribed by Memed, which is another warning factor.
Oncologist Dr. Daniel Morel, medical director of Tuinda Care, highlights the importance of campaigns to educate the male population about screening tests and regular monitoring by a urologist, since an early diagnosis can increase the chance of a cure and, in some cases, improve control of the disease. He emphasizes that technology is evolving rapidly in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, with the use of ultra-technological equipment, new drugs and advances brought about by nuclear medicine, especially for the treatment of metastatic lesions.
“Considering that patients are usually elderly and have a series of comorbidities, which leads them to constant medical care, we must observe how the care of these patients can be improved and optimized with the use of data analysis technologies and also telehealth. The possibility of having remote monitoring, but more frequent, can mean that, for example, an increase in PSA can be detected earlier, thus being able to anticipate a treatment approach”, he emphasizes.
Ricardo Vita, a urologist at Starbem, an online healthtech associated with SDB, emphasizes that men have a cultural barrier and, from the moment they stop going to the pediatrician, they have no doctor of reference to take care of their health. This happens until health problems begin to arise, which is only when they seek a specialist or general practitioner.
“In this interstice, men are left unattended and often do not take care of their health. This is mainly about preventative health and not just curative medicine. This is because men tend to think they are unshakable and unattainable. And they always have that feeling that they can put things off until later, unless it is compromising their quality of life in some way,” Vita emphasizes.
One of the main reasons reported by men to justify their absence from routine consultations is “lack of time”. This is one of the barriers that telehealth helps to break down, as it shortens distances and makes care faster and more practical.
Data collected by Amparo Saúde, a primary care service of the Sabin Group, also associated with the SDB, reinforces this scenario that men seek out services less. Only 36% of the services provided by its professionals are for men aged 18 and over. The other “invisible” men are generally those who come to the service with more advanced health problems.
Leonardo Demambre Abreu, medical coordinator at Amparo Saúde, also draws attention to the consequences of the disease, especially those of an emotional nature. “In the last month, for example, of all the psychological care provided at Amparo Saúde, only 23% were provided to men, not necessarily for prostate cancer, but for all the issues that permeate men’s mental health. The idea that men do not cry, do not feel pain, and do not suffer, socially imposed since childhood, are some of the obstacles that we aim to overcome in providing care to men so that they have comprehensive and multidisciplinary health monitoring,” emphasizes the doctor, who adds: “among the various problems that can affect men, we need to highlight the sad scenario in relation to suicide.”
Saúde Digital Brasil, as an entity committed to the advancement of telehealth and health innovation, recognizes the significant contribution of digital health technologies in facilitating access to medical services and promoting a proactive approach to health aimed at the male public and continues to collaborate with its associates and the sector to offer and expand innovative solutions in this field.
