All articles tagged with #active surveillance
An individual diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer chooses active surveillance, viewing himself as a survivor who thrives despite the diagnosis, supported by faith, family, and community efforts to raise awareness and promote early testing, especially among Black men.
An individual shares how his faith and medical options influenced his decision to pursue active surveillance for prostate cancer, emphasizing the importance of spiritual strength and trusting both God and science during his treatment journey.
Experts warn that outdated guidelines may lead to unnecessary overtreatment of up to 5,000 men annually with prostate cancer in England, risking serious side effects. The charity Prostate Cancer UK calls for NICE to update its guidance to better reflect recent advances in testing and diagnosis, promoting active surveillance for low-risk cases to prevent harm and reduce the 'postcode lottery' in treatment approaches.
A study suggests that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, including fish, olive oil, and walnuts, while reducing omega-6 intake, can slow the growth of early-stage prostate cancer. This dietary approach, combined with fish oil supplements, was shown to decrease cancer cell growth rates in men under active surveillance, potentially delaying the need for aggressive treatments like surgery or radiation. The research highlights the potential of dietary changes in managing prostate cancer progression, although further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine highlights the increasing overtreatment of prostate cancer in older men with limited life expectancy in the U.S., despite guidelines recommending against it. Procedures like radiation therapy and surgery are often used unnecessarily, leading to side effects without extending life. The study suggests a "trifecta" method for discussing treatment options, emphasizing the importance of considering life expectancy in decision-making. Active surveillance is recommended for patients unlikely to benefit from aggressive treatments.
Some doctors are proposing that certain low-grade cancers, such as prostate cancer, should no longer be labeled as "cancer" due to the anxiety and fear the term engenders, leading to unnecessary aggressive treatments and severe side effects. This proposal aims to encourage a monitored "wait and see" approach for low-risk cancers, as research shows that active surveillance can be as effective as immediate treatment. The reclassification of certain cancers aims to prevent unnecessary anxiety and overtreatment, particularly for conditions that are unlikely to spread.
Active surveillance is increasingly being recognized as a safer and more effective approach for managing low-risk prostate cancer, with more men opting for this conservative strategy over immediate treatment. Factors influencing treatment decisions include urologist recommendations, patient-physician shared decision-making, and patient knowledge about prostate cancer. However, racial and geographic differences persist in the adoption of active surveillance, highlighting the need for greater physician engagement and patient education to support its increased utilization.
The Defense Secretary's prostate cancer surgery was described as an "elective medical procedure," but complications led to his hospitalization. Prostate cancer surgery is considered elective because it can be scheduled in advance, not because it's optional. Active surveillance and watchful waiting are options for early-stage prostate cancer, and surgery is generally safe, with rare complications.
A growing proportion of men with low-risk prostate cancer are opting for active surveillance, as medical guidelines now recommend. Research shows that between 2014 and 2021, the proportion of men at low risk of the cancer who chose active surveillance rose to nearly 60% from about 27%. However, 40% of men with low-risk prostate cancer still had invasive treatment. Most prostate cancer grows so slowly, if it grows at all, that other illnesses are likely to prove lethal first, especially among older men. Guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American College of Physicians recommend against routine prostate cancer screening for men over 69 or 70, or for men who have less than a 10- to 15-year life expectancy.
A new study finds that a growing proportion of men with low-risk prostate cancer are opting for active surveillance, as medical guidelines now recommend. Most prostate cancer grows so slowly, if it grows at all, that other illnesses are likely to prove lethal first, especially among older men. Nevertheless, about half of men over 70 continue P.S.A. screening, according to a new study. The financial costs of unnecessary testing and treatment also run high.
More American men with early-stage prostate cancer are opting for active surveillance instead of radiation and surgery, according to a new study. The number of low-risk prostate cancer patients who have chosen active surveillance over immediate treatment has risen from 16% to roughly 60% since 2010. The trend reflects the fact that professional societies have advocated for active surveillance of low-risk cancers for over a decade. Active surveillance allows doctors to watch cancers closely, using blood tests, imaging modalities, and biopsies to ensure they do not progress, avoiding subjecting patients to the side effects of upfront radiation or surgery that affect urinary and sexual function.
Many men with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer can delay or avoid aggressive treatments, such as surgery or radiation, without affecting their chances of survival, according to a decades-long study. Instead, they can opt for "active surveillance," which involves regularly monitoring the cancer's progression. The study found that patients who underwent active surveillance had a similarly low risk of death as those who received surgery or radiation. However, high-risk prostate cancer still requires prompt and aggressive treatment.