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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Health & Science

Prostate Cancer Risk Quadruples With Family History; Doctors Urge Early Screenings

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer among Taiwanese men, often called a "silent killer" due to its lack of early symptoms.
  • Men with a family history of prostate cancer, especially two or more relatives, face a 2-4 times higher risk and should begin regular PSA screenings from age 40-45.
  • Lifestyle factors like prolonged urine holding, high-fat diets, and excessive red meat consumption can increase risk, while a Mediterranean diet and regular exercise may help prevent it.

Prostate cancer has become the third most common cancer among men in Taiwan, earning it the grim moniker of a "silent killer" because early stages often present no obvious symptoms. This stealthy nature makes timely detection crucial, yet challenging. The cancer's symptoms can mimic those of benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as frequent urination or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, leading to misdiagnosis.

Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer among Taiwanese men, and it is known as the "silent killer" of elderly men because it usually has no obvious symptoms in the early stages.

— He ZhaoyanDr. He Zhaoyan, a chief physician in the Urology Department at Shin Kong Hospital, explains the prevalence and silent nature of prostate cancer in Taiwan.

Family history significantly elevates risk. Individuals with two or more relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer face a two to four times greater likelihood of developing the disease themselves. Doctors strongly advise these high-risk individuals to start regular Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screenings between the ages of 40 and 45. For those without a known family history, screening can typically begin around age 50 or 55, unless symptoms appear earlier.

If there are two or more prostate cancer patients in the family, the risk of developing cancer is as high as 2 to 4 times that of ordinary people.

— He ZhaoyanDr. He Zhaoyan highlights the significant increase in risk for individuals with a strong family history of prostate cancer.

Beyond genetics and age, lifestyle choices play a considerable role. Prolonged urine retention is identified as a potential carcinogenic mechanism due to increased oxidative stress. Furthermore, diets high in fats, processed foods, and red meat are linked to a higher risk. Conversely, adopting a Mediterranean diet rich in cooked tomatoes, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, and fruits, along with healthy fats like olive oil and fish oil, while reducing red meat intake, is recommended for prevention.

If you have a family history of prostate cancer, it is recommended to have regular PSA tests from 40 to 45 years old.

— He ZhaoyanDr. He Zhaoyan advises high-risk individuals on when to begin regular screening for prostate cancer.

Early detection dramatically improves outcomes, with a 5-year survival rate for early-stage prostate cancer exceeding 80-90%. Medical professionals urge men, particularly those in high-risk groups, not to delay check-ups due to embarrassment. Regular PSA blood tests, ultrasounds, and digital rectal exams are key screening tools. If abnormalities are detected, a targeted biopsy can confirm the diagnosis, allowing for prompt treatment and significantly better chances of recovery.

Early prostate cancer has a 5-year survival rate of over 80% to 90%. Early detection and treatment have better results.

— He ZhaoyanDr. He Zhaoyan emphasizes the positive impact of early diagnosis and treatment on survival rates.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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