All men aged over 50 should undergo blood tests for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA), French and Chinese medical experts urged yesterday.

Early detection of prostate cancer was crucial in preventing further premature deaths from the condition, they said.

The researchers were speaking at a public education lecture on prostate cancer and heart disease.

Those with high-risk factors such as having a family history of cancer or previous prostate diseases were advised to receive checkups every six months.

PSA is a protein in prostate cells. People with prostate cancer often have high levels of PSA in their blood.

The cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world; it is the second highest cause of death among American cancer patients.

Prostate cancer has been the No. 1 male reproductive system cancer in Shanghai since 2000, with patient numbers growing every year. These figures could be linked to the aging population and the popularity of unhealthy lifestyles involving fatty diets.

(Shanghai Daily November 28, 2007)