Perspectives on prostate cancer: advances and pending challenges for a multidisciplinary oncological approach in South America.

Prostate cancer is one of the tumors with the highest incidence and mortality among men worldwide, and this situation is no different in South America. However, epidemiological data are highly variable for each country and even more so than in North America. These data may be influenced by the very low rate of early detection of disease, availability of diagnostic methods, proper data collection, and limited access to specialized multidisciplinary treatment. For many South American countries, academic referral centers can only offer state-of-the-art diagnostics and multidisciplinary cancer treatment for patients who live in or can travel to large cities, so most patients are cared for by non-expert urologists with limited resources, which can have a negative impact on their prognosis and worsen oncologic outcomes. We aimed to show the clinical management of prostate cancer patients, the current advances in management, limitations present in South America, and how a multidisciplinary approach in referral cancer centers conformed of specialized urologists, medical oncologists, and mental health professionals can maximize patient outcomes.

Humanization in oncology care: A necessary change.

Developments in cancer care, automation of care, rationing of time and fragmentation of the work process for institutional imperatives can often lead to the dehumanization of care. Although, it is indisputable that these interventions have significantly improved outcomes in oncology, they may have caused the emotional needs of patients, families, and health professionals to be considered secondary concerns. Therefore, humanized care can help dispel the negative emotions associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment and may even contribute to improve patient outcomes. This empathetic and respectful approach to patients leads to increase patient expectations of recovery, accountability, control over their own health, satisfaction, safer care, patient happiness and healthcare professional resilience, resulting in time and cost savings. The humanization of care has emerged as a response to the needs and concerns of patients and their families that go beyond the biological.

How to get involved in clinical research: helpful tips.

Research is very competitive but vital in medical training at all levels and disciplines. Given the evidence-based practice, people are reinforced to adopt a constant change attitude and critically appraise all the literature to make the best medical decisions. Nonetheless, the motivation to generate new knowledge and scientific research is relegated to small groups due to multiple factors. Such as the lack of research education from early stages in medical training, the absence of early results, and the lack of mentors willing to sponsor a person who wants to begin this way. This mini review would like to highlight the importance of pursuing a medical research career; therefore, we recommend beginning in the long run.