SUS uses advanced technology to fight skin cancer

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) bring a real game changer in the fight against skin cancerThe most common form of this disease in Brazil. They developed an approach called photodynamic therapy.

It uses a unique ointment and a special light to destroy cancer cells without the need for a scalpel. Besides being a quick and painless treatment, The good news is that as of July this year, it has been allowed to be used by the Unified Health System (SUS)..

Photodynamic therapy has changed the lives of more than 5,000 people in our country. A notable example is housewife Helena Pontieri Morales, who found a cancerous lesion on her nose. She received free treatment at Amaral Carvalho Hospital in Jaú, in the interior of São Paulo, one of 70 research centers using this innovation.

After the ointment was absorbed into her skin, she attended two 20-minute sessions in which a red light was projected onto the problem area. The result was a success. “She felt a little burning, that’s all,” Helena says of her experience.

Skin cancer is predominantly the most common among Brazilians, accounting for around 30% of all registered cases in the country. According to data from the National Cancer Institute (Inca), approximately 176,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed annually. Overexposure to the sun is the main risk factor and mainly affects individuals over the age of 40, fair-skinned and with a family history of the disease.

Historically, the standard solution for this type of cancer was surgery, which could result in scarring and other complications. Photodynamic therapy is now emerging as a more effective and less aggressive option, preserving the patient’s appearance and quality of life.

The technique involves applying an ointment containing aminolevulinic acid to the lesion, which remains effective for about three hours. A red light is then reflected, which activates the drug and causes the cancer cells to be destroyed.

“In relation to surgery, photodynamic therapy provides a number of benefits. It’s faster, less costly, more enjoyable, and provides superior aesthetic results. It also has a positive effect on the immune system and helps prevent future injuries,” says USP’s São Carlos Institute of Physics Researcher Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato from .

Do you have any question? Tell us about our social networks and take the opportunity to share the article with your friends and family!