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Prostate Cancer and Watchful Waiting

7 Things You Likely Don't Know About Watchful Waiting

Prostate cancer is different from other forms of cancer in a couple of respects. For one it is often a very slow growing variety which can take 5-10 years or more to reach a stage that raises red flags. That and in nearly 90% of cases men with tumors scoring less than 5 on the Gleason score will likely still be living with prostate cancer 20 years after their initial diagnosis - without treatment.

This is why some opt for watchful waiting in lieu of other more aggressive forms of treatment for prostate cancer. The thinking being it's not worth risking impaired quality of life when the treatment won't impact the person's life to begin with. Plus there's the feeling too many men get unneeded treatment to begin with.

Watchful Waiting Defined: As the name suggests active surveillance or watchful waiting is a treatment strategy that involves careful monitoring of the situation and opting for treatment only if more troubling signs emerge.

Here's what this is NOT.

It is not a disregard of the patient.

It is not ignoring the problem.

But it is an attempt to maintain your quality of life by holding off on treatment if and when it becomes necessary. For those identified as less likely to negatively impacted by their cancer.

Besides, studies have suggested that immediate treatment or delayed treatment produces cure rates that are identical. So for those who fit the profile the name of the game is wait and watch until there are signs of trouble.

Who Best For: Those with low grade cancer still restricted to their prostate gland itself. Or olden men who are in declining health. Or younger guys who desire to put off any risk of side affects for as long as possible

By going for this option you dodge the risks, complications and side effects of surgery, radiation or other treatments. It can also be an option for men who have very advanced stages of cancer and are unlikely to live long enough to benefit from any form of treatment anyway.

Pros:
• You avoid any risk of impotence and urinary bladder problems associated with prostate treatments. In some cases you may never require treatment if the cancer is very small.

• While you are under surveillance better treatments may be perfected. So you benefit from the newer better ways of treating the condition.

• Also research suggests that for the first 8 years at least there is no impact on life expectancy of those who opt for active surveillance verses those who decide to respond to their cancer aggressively. Which is to say there's likely no need to rush any decision about treatment.

Cons:
• There is a risk that the slow growing cancer may suddenly turn aggressive or spread to other parts of the body making it difficult to cure once treatment is started.

• You have to be willing to live with the uncertainty. Counting on the accuracy of how your tumor scored out plus the estimation of its likely progression.

• Sometimes delaying treatments can increases the risks of unpleasant side effects and lengthen ultimate recovery times.

• You also have to be committed to frequent follow ups with your physician for ongoing testing. Plus watching for signs of trouble yourself.

Admittedly for some the worry is more than they can bear. And they'd prefer to be rid of the cancer taking their chances with the potential side affects.

To Sum It Up: There is no easy answer as to whether watchful waiting is the best course of action for you. The pros and cons must be weighed carefully along with the specifics of your situation. You want to thoroughly discuss all this with your doctor. And it can't hurt to get a second opinion either. The good news is there's usually no need to rush into a decision one way or the other.

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