Targeted screening can prevent prostate cancer death

By Bahk Eun-ji

Eight out of 10 men in their 40s or older have never had a prostate cancer check-up, according to a recent survey.

A man listens as a doctor explains prostate cancer. /Korea Times file

According to a Foundation for Korean Urological Association survey of 600 men in their 40s and older about their awareness of prostate cancer and its examination as part of Blue Ribbon Campaign, 83.3 percent, or 500, said they had never been screened for then disease. One in three respondents knew nothing about the screening method.

Prostate cancer is rising among men here mainly due to rapid population aging and possible westernized eating habits. In 2016, it became the fourth most common cancer among men in Korea, surpassing liver cancer.

Among the respondents, 61.8 percent said they did not have a checkup because they did not have any symptoms. Another 31.2 percent said they did not need the checkup because they were in good health.

More than 50 percent thought that they would not develop prostate cancer, with 26.2 percent saying they did not have any family history of the disease and 21.9 percent said they had not suffered from other urinary problems.

Only 9.7 percent, or 58 respondents, said they were aware of the PSA test for prostate cancer. Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced by normal, as well as malignant, cells of the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in a man's blood. For this test, a blood sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Around 60 percent said they believed the cost of a PSA test was higher than the actual 10,000 won ($8.58), indicating that improved awareness of the cancer is highly needed to encourage screening for early detection.

“Prostate cancer has a high survival rate if it is detected in its early stage, and there are a number of treatments methods,” said Jeon Seong-soo, a professor at Samsung Medical Center and chairman of the Korean Urological Oncology Society.

“In other words, men in their 50s and older should have checkups at least once a year.”