Lifestyle, family could predict prostate riskBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterHaving 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. Shu Tien Clinic Department of Urology director Chou Ku holds a placard on information about prostate cancer at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. 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 saidYounger people have more remaining life expectancy, so active treatment is recommended, he added. 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.

Source: Taipei Times March 12, 2026 03:42 UTC