More American men with low-risk prostate cancer are being persuaded by their doctor to reject immediate surgery and/or radiation in favor of active surveillance. This move is sparing men’s sexual health without increasing their risk of death. A study done by the VA looked at the medical records of veterans diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2005 and 2015. In 2005, only 27% of veterans under the age of 65 chose surveillance, and by 2015, that trend had flipped, and 72% of veterans were pursuing surveillance.
Up until recently, a man diagnosed with prostate cancer was told to get his prostate removed right away. Now this movement away from early aggressive action is gaining momentum. Researchers, Patients and Physicians are all recognizing the potential harm that can come in over-treating a cancer that may never really progress. The side effects that can accompany these aggressive treatments can cause incontinence and sexual dysfunction, which in some cases are a bigger threat than the cancer itself; severely effecting quality of life.
You can read the entire article here: “More men with low-risk prostate cancer are forgoing aggressive treatment.”