Did you know that about 30 percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer are considered low-risk, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation? Prostate cancer can often be slow-growing—or slow to spread. When you are identified as low-risk, it means that the pace of the cancer’s growth is unlikely to impact your life expectancy. Prostate cancer is one of the few cancers that can fall into this category, and a form of treatment called active surveillance may be recommended for those with a low-risk diagnosis.
What is active surveillance?
When a doctor recommends active surveillance, it means he or she feels your best option is to keep a close eye on the cancer, and more extensive treatment is not yet needed. While on active surveillance, you will have routine PSA screenings or DRE tests to monitor the cancer’s progression. Your doctor will most likely recommend tests every six months, followed by a biopsy every one to five years.
How do I know if I should be on active surveillance?
This is an important discussion for you and your doctor, who will take into consideration your test results, risk level, age, any existing symptoms, and other important life factors. If you are younger, you may have a greater chance of prostate cancer progressing more rapidly at some point, and your doctor may recommend more aggressive treatment such as surgery or radiation. For men who are older, active surveillance may be a good choice with the goal of managing symptoms as they arise.
Does early screening help?
Yes! Early screening is important whether or not active surveillance is an option for you. If you’re age 50 or older—or if you carry a greater risk of prostate cancer—the earlier you’re screened, the sooner your urologist can get you on the best health care plan for your needs, whether it’s active surveillance or more immediate, aggressive treatment. The most important thing to keep in mind is this—get screened for prostate cancer regularly! Talk with your doctor about what’s right for you.
Contact RGU today to schedule an appointment to discuss your prostate cancer screening plan.
