Prostate Cancer Ranks Third in Male Deaths in Taiwan; Doctor Analyzes High PSA Levels

Prostate cancer remains a significant health concern in Taiwan, ranking as the third leading cause of cancer death among men and accounting for approximately 9,000 new cases each year. The risk of developing the disease increases with age.

According to recent statistics, prostate cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Taiwan based on standardized incidence rates. For men specifically, it ranks third in incidence and sixth in cancer-related deaths. The standardized mortality rate for prostate cancer has also shown an increasing trend.

Urologist Huang Po-jen highlighted that while prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality in men, many patients become overly anxious upon discovering an elevated PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level. He stressed that a high PSA reading does not definitively mean a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Drawing from the latest screening guidelines from the American Urological Association (AUA) and the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), Huang emphasized that PSA blood tests remain the primary screening tool, rather than digital rectal exams. He advised general screenings for men aged 50 to 69 every two to four years, with a baseline PSA test recommended between ages 45 and 50. High-risk individuals, including those with a family history or BRCA gene mutations, should begin screenings earlier, between ages 40 and 45.

Huang further explained that elevated PSA levels can result from various factors, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement), prostatitis (inflammation), strenuous exercise, or even recent medical examinations. Studies suggest that a significant percentage, around 25% to 40%, of individuals with initially high PSA levels see their numbers return to normal upon retesting, underscoring the importance of follow-up testing before jumping to conclusions.