Evolução epidemiológica do câncer de próstata no Brasil: análise de rastreamento, desigualdades sociodemográficas e custos em saúde (2015–2025).

Abstract

Objective: To analyze hospital admissions, outpatient prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, mortality, healthcare costs, and regional and sociodemographic inequalities related to prostate cancer in Brazil. Methods: An ecological time-series study was conducted from 2015 to 2025. Data were obtained from DATASUS (SIM, SIH, and SIA) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Men aged 55–69 years diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of the prostate (ICD-10 C61) were included. Variables analyzed comprised hospital admissions, mortality, the deaths-to-admissions ratio, PSA testing, healthcare costs, and sociodemographic characteristics. Descriptive analyses were performed with temporal assessment and comparisons across age groups and Brazilian regions. Results: A total of 161,628 hospital admissions were recorded, increasing from 12,322 in 2015 to 20,165 in 2025. The most affected age group was 65–69 years, accounting for 74,308 admissions. A total of 62,780,036 outpatient PSA tests were performed, with a decline in 2020 followed by subsequent recovery. The Southeast region showed the highest healthcare service volume, whereas the Northeast presented the highest mortality rate in 2024 (23.65/100,000 inhabitants). Higher mortality was observed among individuals with lower educational attainment, and reduced access to PSA testing was identified in vulnerable municipalities. Conclusion: Hospital admissions, outpatient PSA testing, and healthcare costs related to prostate cancer increased in Brazil, alongside persistent regional and socioeconomic inequalities. These findings highlight the need to expand access to diagnosis and promote equity in cancer care.