#ActiveSurveillance

Recent news of former US President Joseph Biden’s advanced prostate cancer has reignited global debate, including among Thai health professionals and men, about the value of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests for the early detection of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States and an important concern worldwide, presents a unique challenge: distinguishing aggressive, potentially deadly tumors from slow-growing ones that may never pose harm. This ongoing health debate holds particular significance for Thai men, as prostate cancer incidence in Thailand has gradually risen—mirroring trends in the West as life expectancy increases and populations age. Understanding the evolving research on PSA testing can help Thai families make informed decisions about their own health.

Recent renewed attention to prostate cancer and the PSA screening test, spurred by the diagnosis of former US President Joseph Biden, is once again igniting debate among health experts and patients worldwide — including in Thailand. Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States and is a significant health concern for aging populations globally. The latest research and guidance show that the path forward for PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing is both complicated and deeply personal, underscoring an urgent need for Thai men and their healthcare practitioners to weigh the pros and cons of screening within the context of current science and local realities.