Rising Trends in Prostate Cancer Among Asian Men: Global Concerns and Diagnostic Solutions

Abstract

Asia comprises 60% of the global male population, yet Asian men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, remain sparse in the literature. Clinical researchers have often overlooked prostate cancer in Asian men, as available statistics suggest that Asian men are less likely to develop prostate cancer compared to Caucasian, Black, and Hispanic males. However, cultural investigations have indicated these figures may be influenced by factors such as cultural taboos, superstition and misconception, limited access to diagnostic tools and healthcare facilities, and epidemiological factors in terms of lifestyle, environmental exposure, and genetics. In particular, the lack of diagnostic resources, coupled with cultural stigmas surrounding cancers affecting the genitalia in Asian societies, may contribute to significant underreporting. Rapid aging population growth in East Asia and the continuing shift in Asiatic lifestyles towards Westernization will likely contribute to a continued rise in prostate cancer incidence among Asian men in the coming years. A comprehensive review of novel and commercially available prostate cancer detection tests demonstrates that accurate, less-invasive tools could relieve many of the pressures surrounding Asian men and their prostate health.

Keywords: Asian men’s health; cancer epidemiology; early detection; global cancer trends; molecular diagnostics; precision oncology; prostate cancer.

Figure 1

(A). Heatmap of 1-year prostate cancer prevalence in Asia in 2022. Data is shown as the age-standardized rate (ASR) per 100,000, with dark red representing countries with 15.6–47.3 cases, red representing 9.9–15.6 cases, dark orange being 6.7–9.9 cases, orange being 2.8–6.7 cases, and, finally, yellow representing 0.9–2.8 cases per 100,000 [7]. (B). Table with individual ASR based on individual countries in Asia. This dataset did not allow for the distinction between China and Taiwan; therefore, the data was pooled together [7].

Figure 2

(A). Heatmap of prostate cancer mortality in Asia in 2022. Data is shown as the age-standardized rate (ASR) per 100,000, with dark red representing countries with 6.7–13.9 deaths, red representing 5.1–6.4 deaths, dark orange being 4.1–4.9 deaths, orange being 2.4–4.0 deaths, and, finally, yellow representing 0.52–2.2 deaths per 100,000. (B). Table with individual ASR based on individual countries in Asia. This dataset did not allow for the distinction between China and Taiwan; therefore, the data was pooled together [7].