News
21/11/2023
Meet the story of Ciro Braga Neto, an employee of Bom Futuro, who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer and wants to raise awareness about the importance of prevention.
Ciro Braga Neto, 67 years old, used to have annual check-ups to ensure his health was in good condition. In October 2018, he underwent tests and everything was fine; however, he did not have any exams for the next two years. Then, the pandemic hit, and another two years passed without checking on his health.
When he returned to in-person work as a buyer at Bom Futuro's headquarters in Cuiabá, he decided it was time to once again check on his health. That’s when the surprise came: in a specific blood test, the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) showed a significant alteration.
“The normal indicator is between 0 and 4; mine was at 40. The PSA alteration doesn’t necessarily mean cancer, but I decided to investigate further, and the doctor recommended a rectal tomography. I had never had any symptoms; I only discovered it through the exam,” Ciro recounts.
From that day on, he found a specialist and underwent even more specific tests, which ruled out the possibility of robotic surgery on his prostate. “The cancer had already developed a small metastasis in the L1 vertebra, so I had to undergo hormone therapy and also radiation therapy,” he recalls.
Since December 2022, Ciro has been on an oral treatment, taking four pills a day and receiving an injection every three months. From July to August of this year, he underwent 39 sessions of radiation therapy. “It was two months of daily radiation. I would work until around 2 PM and then go for my session. Work was very important to keep me active during this process.”
The check-up revealed a serious health issue that Ciro is managing with treatment. But he is emphatic in advising all men: “Get regular check-ups; don’t have prejudice, because this exam can save your life.”
The treatment is recent, and Ciro continues to take care of himself. He remembers that upon receiving the diagnosis, he thought positively about his recovery and had faith in science.
“Of course, I cried many times, prayed a lot; my family was essential in giving me strength during this process. However, all of this made me realize that I need to tell my story and raise awareness among more men about the need for prevention. Women talk about this; they do self-examinations, so we also need to overcome prejudice and take care of ourselves,” Ciro states.
Prevention tips: To prevent prostate cancer, it is important to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and undergo routine preventive exams. Here are some tips to consider:
- Healthy diet
- Weight management
- Physical activity
- Avoid smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Routine exams
- Awareness of risk factors
- Regular medical consultations
- Stress management