On October 23, in an interview with the China News Service, Professor Ye Dingwei, the Chair of the Urological Oncology Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and Deputy Director of the Fudan University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, highlighted a concerning trend: a significant portion of prostate cancer patients in China are diagnosed late, leading to an overall five-year survival rate of less than 70%.
“One major reason for this low survival rate is the insufficient implementation of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screening,” Professor Ye explained. He emphasized the need for increased support for community PSA screenings, which he considers a crucial strategy for early detection of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer has become one of the most common malignant tumors among men in China in recent years. Generally, early-stage prostate cancer does not present noticeable symptoms, making it easy to overlook. As a result, many patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, significantly impacting treatment effectiveness and survival rates. “It is imperative that we increase the PSA screening rate,” Professor Ye urged.
Professor Ye elaborated on the importance of PSA, a protein specific to the prostate, stating that elevated levels in the blood are closely linked to the onset and progression of prostate cancer. He described PSA screening as a highly effective tool for early detection, which can lead to improved cure rates and survival odds. “In China, public awareness of prostate cancer and PSA screening is lacking, resulting in low screening rates and many patients missing the optimal window for early treatment,” he noted.
When it comes to responding to elevated PSA levels, Professor Ye advised that any male with a PSA reading above the normal range should enter a clinical early diagnosis phase and seek further examination at a healthcare facility. “Initially, an MRI should be conducted. If a lesion is identified, a prostate biopsy can follow. If the biopsy results are positive, subsequent treatment should be determined based on the cancer stage,” he recommended.
“Prostate cancer prevention and treatment is a systematic endeavor that requires comprehensive management throughout early screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up,” Professor Ye asserted. He believes that building a complete prostate cancer prevention and treatment system necessitates collaboration among the government, medical institutions, academic associations, and relevant enterprises, focusing on all aspects of management.
To provide evidence-based guidance for prostate cancer screenings, the Urological Male Reproductive Tumor Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association has developed the “Expert Consensus on Prostate Cancer Screening in China,” advocating for precision screening strategies. Professor Ye suggested that men over the age of 50 should undergo PSA testing every two years. Those with a family history of prostate cancer should start screenings at 45, while those with a baseline PSA level above 1ng/ml should begin at 40. Additionally, individuals with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, or a family history of such mutations, should also initiate screening at 45.
Currently, Professor Ye’s department at the Fudan University Affiliated Tumor Hospital has taken the lead in implementing a community-based prostate cancer screening program in China. This initiative aims to standardize and normalize prostate cancer screening practices and has already shown promising results: 12 “Precision Prostate Cancer Screening Bases” and 22 “Prostate Cancer Precision Screening Community Service Stations” have been established. The hospital is also exploring the creation of dedicated prostate cancer screening clinics, expanding their reach beyond Shanghai to promote screening concepts and models nationwide. Cities like Nanjing and Ningbo have also initiated community prostate cancer screening projects, achieving positive outcomes.
“Doctors must be aware of the importance of prostate cancer screening,” Professor Ye stressed. “Medical institutions need to enhance training for physicians, actively promoting PSA testing for men over 50.”