So far, it is widely acknowledged that our understanding of prostate health and disease have mostly come from analyzing datas based on western patients, and funding research and education in Asia to beat prostate disease has been far less than adequate. Perhaps the treatment modality and prognosis of prostate disease in Asians should be different from that of Westerners depending on etiology, symptoms, and so on. Accordingly, it is about time for us to earnestly undertake research studies on prostate health and disease particularly befitting the physical characteristics of Asians in tandem with Asia’s growing political and economic influence and clout. We also need to identify the causes of the disease based on the framework of theoretical facts in order to develop an individualized treatment modality and better predict its prognosis.

The Asia Pacific Prostate Society (APPS) was established by the gathering of renowned urologists on prostate health and disease factors from 11 countries worldwide not only from Asian countries, but also from countries like Australia, the United States, and Canada. Participating Asian countries included Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. Choung-Soo Kim at the Asan Medical Center, Ulsan University was appointed its first president. Professor Byung-Ha Chung at the Kangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University was named the first vice-president, and professor Ji-Youl Lee at the Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University was named as its secretary-general.

The Asia Pacific Prostate Society (APPS) provides venues for urologists to exchange their ideas regarding basic and clinical research studies on prostate health and disease factors. In addition, APPS leads the way for multi-national and multi-centered clinical research studies in the Asia-Pacific region. In the future, APPS aims to eradicate prostate disease through interdisciplinary work and exchanges, through a synergy created among such specialists as radiation oncologists, oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists, whereby emerging as a focal point of advancing prostate research and pioneering treatment modalities for the common good of the people in the Asia-Pacific region.