Across the Chinese mainland, prostate cancer has quietly climbed to become one of the top health concerns for men, especially those over 50. Often dubbed the "retirement disease" due to its prevalence in older age groups, both new cases and related deaths are rising year after year.
In response, the Beijing Society of Integrative Medicine launched a Prostate Cancer Patient Health Education Project. Combining online webinars with in-person workshops, the initiative aims to arm patients with clear, professional insights into prostate cancer risks, screening tools and treatment pathways.
“Early screening is our most powerful tool,” says Liu Ming, Director of the Urology Department at Beijing Hospital. “Many overlook prostate cancer because it advances slowly. But once symptoms like blood in the urine or pain emerge, the disease is often in later stages.”
Data from the National Cancer Center of the Chinese mainland’s 2022 Cancer Burden Report shows 134,200 new prostate cancer diagnoses and 47,500 related deaths—numbers that have steadily climbed. Regional hospital screenings in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Guangzhou indicate detection rates of 0.8% to 1.5% in men over 60, exceeding national averages.
Despite the availability of the low-cost prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, many men skip initial screenings or drop out after abnormal results. Health experts attribute this to low awareness and skepticism that a simple blood test could detect cancer risk.
To tackle overdiagnosis and missed diagnoses, Liu advocates a stepwise pathway: start with PSA testing, move to pelvic MRI if PSA exceeds 4 ng/ml, and reserve biopsies for cases where MRI findings remain suspicious. “This approach pinpoints intermediate- to high-risk cases and avoids unnecessary procedures,” he explains.
Early detection dramatically improves treatment outcomes. Localized prostate cancer can often be cured with surgery or radiotherapy, while advanced cases may require hormone therapy, chemotherapy and ongoing drug regimens. Continuous follow-up ensures treatments stay effective and side effects are managed.
With prostate cancer increasingly managed like a chronic condition, Liu urges men 50 and older to make PSA testing part of their routine health checkup. Regular screening and prompt follow-up could turn the tide on rising prostate cancer rates and save countless lives.
Reference(s):
Rising Prostate Cancer Rates Spur Experts to Advise Regular Screening for Men Over 50
bjnews.com.cn
