Taiwan eyes adding prostate cancer to public screening program in 2027

Taiwan is set to enhance its public cancer screening services, with plans to potentially include prostate cancer screening starting in 2027. This move is part of a broader national strategy to achieve a one-third reduction in cancer mortality rates by 2030.

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Cancer screening is an important strategy for changing the stage of diagnosis.

Currently, Taiwan offers screening for six types of cancer. The Ministry of Health and Welfare's National Health Agency (NHA) is actively discussing the specifics of incorporating prostate cancer screening. A pilot program is anticipated for next year, but considerations regarding supporting infrastructure, county-level capacity, and potential risks are still underway.

NHA Director-General Shen Ching-fen emphasized that early detection through screening is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. In 2025, screening participation reached 6 million individuals, with over 3 million undergoing screenings through NHA-supported programs. These efforts have led to the identification of more than 40,000 cancer patients, significantly impacting their treatment and prognosis.

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The NHA has recently planned expert meetings for prostate cancer screening and commissioned small projects to discuss screening tools, scientific efficacy, cutoff points, and follow-up.

Prostate cancer screening typically involves testing for Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels in the blood. However, Shen noted the need for caution due to PSA's association with non-specific conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia or inflammation, which could lead to over-medicalization. Expert meetings are being held to discuss screening tools, efficacy, and follow-up protocols before the pilot program's official launch.

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Prostate cancer screening is assessed by testing PSA in the blood, but PSA is related to non-specific prostate enlargement or inflammatory responses, and over-medicalization must be guarded against.