Having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test result above 4.0 ng/mL is considered abnormal and it is worth closer testing, a physician said yesterday, as he suggested individuals with a family history of prostate cancer begin regular screening from an earlier age.
A 42-year-old man, surnamed Chen (陳), was tested with a PSA level of 5.4 ng/mL more than a year ago, but he did not experience any discomfort, while other tests, including a digital rectal examination, showed no signs of prostate inflammation, but a ultrasound showed a mildly enlarged prostate with a small nodule of about 7.9mm, Shu Tien Clinic Department of Urology director Chou Ku (周固) said.
In a follow-up visit, Chen’s PSA level was tested to be even higher at 5.57 ng/mL and his free PSA level was 13 percent, so the doctor suggested he get a biopsy to investigate the condition, but he refused, Chou said.
Photo: CNA
Chen was again tested with a higher PSA level of 5.29ng/mL in the next follow-up visit, and he agreed to get a biopsy, confirming it was prostate cancer, Chou said, adding that he was referred to a larger hospital for radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy.
Prostate cancer is generally found in men aged 65 or older, while the incidence rate for men aged 40 to 44 is approximately two to five per 100,000 men and lower than one per 100,000 in men aged younger than 40, he said.
However, men with a family history or lifestyle risk factors, including smoking or high consumption of alcohol or processed meat, risk of developing the disease at a younger age, he added.
“Prostate cancer in younger men tends to be more aggressive, faster-growing and poses a higher risk of spreading [metastasis],” Chou said
Younger people have more remaining life expectancy, so active treatment is recommended, he added.
Chou said most early-stage prostate cancers do not have any symptoms and when they do, they often share similar symptoms with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, noncancerous prostate enlargement), such as frequent urination (particularly at night) or weak urine flow.
Tested with a high level of PSA does not necessarily indicate the presence of prostate cancer, as benign conditions such as BPH, inflammation, infection or sexual activity might affect PSA levels, so getting examinations for confirmation is recommended, he said.
Meanwhile, men with a family history — particularly if a first-degree relative (father or brother) has had the disease — are recommended to start getting PSA tests regularly from 10 years before the age that their family member was diagnosed with it and avoid lifestyle risk factors to better prevent prostate cancer, Chou said.
UPGRADE: The Kang Ding-class frigate is replacing its Chaparall missiles with Tien Chien II and Hua Yang VLS, which would provide it with long-range, 360° air defense Taiwan plans to produce 1,200 to 1,376 Hai Chien II missiles (海劍二, Sea Sword II) — also known as TC-2N — to serve as the standard air defense system of the navy’s surface combatant fleet, a source said yesterday. Last week, the Hai Chien II, the naval version of the Tien Kung II missile (天劍二, Sky Sword II), completed a live-fire test in waters off the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology’s Jiupeng facility (九鵬) in Pingtung County’s Manjhou Township (滿州). The MIM72 Chaparral and other dated air defense missiles that currently arm Taiwanese ships have inadequate range to combat Chinese
REASONS FOR TRAVEL: An assistant professor said that proposed amendments to penalize drivers if they used drugs overseas would not deter people from traveling People who operate a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana would have their driver’s license revoked, even if they used the substance while overseas, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday, citing proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例). The amendments would also authorize the government to revoke the licenses of people determined to have used Category 1 or Category 2 narcotics, even if they were not operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, as well as ban them from taking the license test for three years, the ministry said. People aged 18 or
Johanne Liou (劉喬安), a Taiwanese woman who shot to unwanted fame during the Sunflower movement protests in 2014, returned to Taiwan last night after being deported from the US. She is to stand trial in Taiwan for charges involving embezzlement, fraud and drug crimes. The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said it took her into custody at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and would first question her before transferring her to the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. She was arrested upon disembarking a flight from San Francisco that landed shortly before 7pm. Liou absconded to the US in 2019 after jumping bail
Shih Hsin University President Chen Ching-he (陳清河) yesterday issued a public apology for comments made in his commencement speech last week, stating that he has asked the school to suspend his duties and halt his wages for two months as a show of contrition. At the commencement ceremony on May 30, Chen said, “If you don’t manage your time well, or your own emotions, or your health, then I am telling every one of you — put a quick end to ‘you,’ because the world has no need for ‘you.’” The comments have sparked significant controversy online, and Chen through an open
RSS