Abstract Purpose: Prostate cancer is the second most common malignant neoplasm among men in Brazil and one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, according to recent epidemiological studies. Early detection, combined with timely initiation of treatment, is essential to improve patient prognosis. Law No. 12. 732/12, enacted in 2012, mandates that treatment through the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) must begin within 60 days after diagnosis, aiming to expedite access and minimize delays. Since then, progress has been made in treatment times; however, challenges persist, highlighting the need to enhance public policies. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and quantitative study based on DATASUS, the Brazilian Health Information System, regarding the time to treatment initiation for prostate cancer in Brazil in 2013 and 2023. Cases were selected based on the elapsed time between diagnosis and the initiation of treatment, following standardized criteria to ensure transparency and reproducibility, allowing for a comparative analysis of data across both periods. Results: The data indicate improvements in the time to treatment initiation for prostate cancer between 2013 and 2023, potentially influenced by the implementation of the Law. In 2013, only 14. 3% of the 5, 131 cases started treatment within the legally mandated 60-day period, whereas in 2023, this figure increased to 28% of the 45, 952 prostate cancer cases. The percentage of treatments initiated on the same day as diagnosis rose from 1. 9% to 13. 6%, indicating advancements in the speed of care. However, challenges remain. In 2023, 11, 461 cases (24. 9%) had no recorded treatment, a significant increase compared to the 21 cases (0. 4%) in 2013. Additionally, 19. 2% of cases exceeded 120 days for treatment initiation in 2023, although this proportion is lower than in 2013, when 71. 6% of cases exceeded 365 days. Conclusion: Despite the progress achieved, incomplete records and prolonged delays underscore the need to optimize care pathways, implement targeted interventions, and improve data monitoring to ensure greater equity and adherence to current legislation. Citation Format: Gabriela Macelaro, João Paulo Fortti. Trends in Prostate Cancer Treatment Duration in Brazil: Advances and Challenges in the Post-Law 12. 732/12 Period abstract. In: Proceedings of the 13th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; 2025 Sep 16. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34 (12Suppl): Abstract nr 42.
GABRIELA PEREIRA MACELARO (Mon,) studied this question.