Oncology Society urges early screening to combat prostate cancer in Dominican men

Santo Domingo.- On the occasion of World Prostate Cancer Day, the Dominican Society of Medical Oncology called on men to undergo regular preventive screenings and overcome cultural stigmas that often delay the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the most common cancer affecting men in the Dominican Republic.

SDOM President Ángela Cabreja emphasized that early detection is critical, noting that when the disease is identified while still confined to the prostate, the probability of survival and cure exceeds 99% over five years. However, many patients continue to seek medical attention only after the disease has advanced.

According to data from the Global Cancer Observatory, the Dominican Republic records approximately 4,918 new cases of prostate cancer and around 2,120 related deaths each year, placing the country among those with the highest incidence rates in the region. Risk factors include age, family history, inherited genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, obesity, physical inactivity, and diets high in fat.

The organization encouraged men over age 50—or age 45 for those with a family history of the disease—to schedule annual urological evaluations. Specialists recommend combining the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test with a digital rectal exam, stressing that both tests complement each other and neither should replace the other.

SDOM also highlighted that advances in cancer treatment have improved outcomes and reduced side effects, but stressed that prevention and early diagnosis remain the most effective tools against the disease. The society reiterated its commitment to promoting awareness, timely screening, and access to quality care for prostate cancer patients across the country.