Is Watchful Waiting the Right Choice for You?

1. Some men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer may be shocked to hear their doctors recommending they take no immediate action. After all, cancer is a disease that demands immediate and aggressive action. As it turns out, that’s not always the case. Thanks to the slow-growing nature of low-risk prostate cancer tumors, it is sometimes possible for men to avoid invasive treatments that may result in troubling side effects. Known as watchful waiting or active surveillance, this course of action can be quite beneficial for men in some cases. Researchers say that roughly 90 percent of prostate cancers are detected at curable stages. In many of these cases, the aggressiveness of the cancer and its pace of growth is so low that men diagnosed are simply much more likely to die from other causes than their prostate tumors. With that in mind, active surveillance may be recommended. Although this form of action doesn’t call for treatment, it isn’t necessarily a passive approach. Men who choose this path will find that routine monitoring to detect any changes in a tumor. Should risk levels rise, surgery and/or radiation may be recommended. Getting a diagnosis of cancer and then doing nothing to “cure” it can be a challenge for men. Even so, this option can spare men from the rigors of treatment and the side effects that may go along with it. To determine if watchful waiting is the right course of action in a particular case, it is advised that men consider these things:

2. The stage and aggressiveness of the disease – Doctors will not recommend watchful waiting if a tumor is deemed to be of moderate or high risk. Even so, men should ask their doctors why the recommendation is being made and what the potential pros and cons are. Willingness to follow through – The key to successful active surveillance is being committed to go in for routine follow ups. These may include simple blood tests and the need for periodic biopsies, in some cases. Comfort level – If the idea of leaving a tumor in place is simply unacceptable, men should explore other options with their healthcare providers. Prostate cancer doesn’t always demand immediate intervention. If watchful waiting is recommended, be sure to talk with the healthcare provider to get all the facts.