No Treatment the Best Treatment?

Many men who receive a prostate cancer health diagnosis aren’t doing anything about it.

And they’re following their doctor’s orders.

The whole “do nothing” approach for prostate cancer is technically referred to as “active surveillance” in doctor-speak, and the number of patients preferring this treatment option is growing.

Other prostate cancer treatment options, such as surgery or radiation, are extremely aggressive and can leave harsh side effects, such as incontinence and impotence. And, of course, these treatment options are available to prostate cancer patients at any time.

However, recent data has supported the active surveillance treatment plan. Under this program, men with prostate cancer receive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and physicals every six months. They also receive biopsies every 12 to 18 months. Most doctors are quick to emphasize that active surveillance is a treatment option that is unique to prostate cancer.

It’s definitely a big trade-off: Do you risk impotence and/or incontinence problems for the rest of your life or let the prostate cancer grow slowly but enjoy a fully-functioning phallus? Well, men, what would your choice be? Women, what would you want for your man? [TheBostonChannel.com]