What is Active Surveillance?
Active Surveillance is a management approach for low-risk, early-stage prostate cancer. It involves closely monitoring the disease for any signs of progression, while avoiding immediate treatments like surgery or radiation and their associated side effects.
Who Should Consider it?
Men with low-risk, early-stage prostate cancer may want to consider it in consultation with their doctor. Around 50% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer have low-risk disease, which is unlikely to spread and often does not require aggressive treatment.
For those considering surgery, studies suggest that men with low-risk prostate cancer can safely delay a radical prostatectomy for up to 12 months after diagnosis.
It can be especially valuable, as it helps men avoid side effects of invasive treatments while monitoring cancer progression.
How Does it Work?
With active surveillance, your doctor will closely monitor your prostate cancer to check for signs of progression or increased aggression. This typically involves regular tests such as PSA tests, digital rectal exams, biopsies, and possibly additional imaging tests. Through careful monitoring, your healthcare team can track any changes and determine if more aggressive treatment is necessary.
If your doctor recommends active surveillance, establish a clear plan for follow-up tests. Understand the next steps if the cancer progresses.
WATCHFUL WAITING
- Fewer tests than Active Surveillance.
- Ideal for older men and those with health problems that could make more aggressive treatments difficult or risky.
- 70-80% of men in their 80’s have prostate cancer and not all need to be treated.
Active Surveillance vs. Watchful Waiting
Doctors typically recommend watchful waiting for older or less healthy men with a shorter life expectancy, where prostate cancer treatment may be challenging or potentially harmful. While they still perform regular tests to monitor disease progression, these tests are generally less frequent, and doctors usually avoid repeat biopsies.