Prostate cancer is the fifth leading cause of death from malignant tumors in Chile, according to Minsal. For this reason, through GES, you can receive a treatment that uses radioactive seeds called prostate brachytherapy.
According to projections from the health world, 1 in 6 men will be affected by prostate cancer at some point in their lives. The disease is included in the Explicit Health Assurance (GES) program and is treated with radioactive seeds.
Also called brachytherapy, this is a type of radiation therapy in which different doses are delivered around the prostate depending on how advanced the disease is.
Radioactive seeds for prostate cancer
According to WHO figures, about 2,300 people died from prostate cancer in Chile in 2020, almost double the number of breast cancer deaths registered in women during the same period.
To treat this disease, GES includes a procedure that uses radioactive seeds, also known as prostate brachytherapy.
According to reports, mayo clinicwhich involves placing a radioactive source in the prostate, the radiation kills cancer cells and causes less damage to nearby healthy tissue.
In this sense, there are two types of brachytherapy: high-dose and low-dose. One, her LDR, involves permanently placing seeds in the prostate and gradually irradiating them over several months.
The second (HDR), on the other hand, is performed by exposing the prostate to a highly radioactive source for several minutes, repeated 2-3 times over several days.
How do I access brachytherapy from GES?
To access radioactive seeds for prostate cancer treatment or prostate brachytherapy via GES, you must first be evaluated by a specialist.
The latter can be done through experts in Chile’s public or private medical networks. If you are an individual, you must complete a form certifying your illness and the corresponding tests.
Finally, patients will receive treatment once they are registered at the Cesfam or clinic closest to their home.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
While each person can have different symptoms, there are some recurring symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
– Difficulty urinating.
– Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
– Frequent urination, especially at night.
– Difficulty emptying the bladder completely.
– Pain or burning when urinating.
– Blood in urine or semen.
– Persistent pain in your back, hips, or pelvis.
– Pain during ejaculation.
It should be taken into account that these symptoms may be caused by conditions other than prostate cancer. Therefore, you should always consult a professional specialist if you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms.
Source: Biobiochile
