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Your Prostate Cancer May Not Need Treatment Right Away. What to Do Instead
TODAY.com • • health
Key Points:
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the U.S., often showing no symptoms, with elevated PSA tests typically indicating its presence before confirmation through imaging and biopsy.
- For about 14% of men diagnosed with low-risk, slow-growing prostate cancer, active surveillance—regular monitoring without immediate treatment—is recommended to avoid unnecessary side effects.
- Active surveillance includes routine doctor visits, PSA tests every six months, annual rectal exams, imaging, and biopsies, allowing timely intervention if the cancer shows signs of progression.
- Immediate treatment for early-stage prostate cancer can cause side effects like incontinence and impotence, so delaying therapy can preserve quality of life while still preventing complications later.
- Men should discuss PSA screening with their doctors starting at age 50, or earlier for higher-risk individuals, and consider active surveillance as a viable option if diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer.
