Prostate cancer is a common cancer among men. According to the American Cancer Society, one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. It is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States.

However, a ‘wait and see’ approach for prostate cancer has shown promising results in many cases. This approach is also known as active surveillance. In this article, we will discuss what this approach is, its advantages and disadvantages, and the promising results it has shown so far.

What is the ‘wait and see’ approach?

Active surveillance is a ‘wait and see’ approach used for prostate cancer where instead of immediately treating the cancer, doctors monitor it closely.

During this period, the patient undergoes regular tests to ensure that the cancer is not growing or spreading. If the cancer grows or spreads, treatment is recommended. However, if the cancer is not growing or spreading, the patient is placed under continued observation.

Advantages of the ‘wait and see’ approach

Active surveillance has several advantages over traditional treatment such as surgery or radiation. Here are some of the advantages:.

Avoids unnecessary treatment: Active surveillance avoids the side effects associated with traditional prostate cancer treatments, such as incontinence and impotence. These side effects can be severe and long-lasting. By avoiding unnecessary treatment, active surveillance helps patients retain their quality of life.
Makes treatment more effective: Active surveillance ensures that treatment is only administered when necessary. This means that when treatment is given, it is more effective in treating the cancer. This is because the cancer is not able to develop resistance to the treatment, as can happen with repeated treatments.
Reduces healthcare costs: Treatment for prostate cancer can be expensive, especially if surgery or radiation is needed. Active surveillance avoids these costs, making healthcare more affordable for patients.

Disadvantages of the ‘wait and see’ approach

While active surveillance has many advantages, it also has some disadvantages. Here are some of the disadvantages:.

Potential for delayed treatment: Although active surveillance is effective in monitoring prostate cancer, there is a risk that the cancer may grow or spread during the monitoring period. This can lead to delayed treatment, which can make the cancer harder to treat.
Potential for psychological stress: Patients who are placed under active surveillance may experience psychological stress and anxiety. This is because they are constantly under observation, and the uncertainty of the situation can be stressful.
Requires close monitoring: Active surveillance requires frequent testing, which can be inconvenient for some patients. This can also lead to additional healthcare costs.

Promising results of the ‘wait and see’ approach

Despite the disadvantages, the active surveillance approach has shown promising results in many cases. Here are some of the results:.

Better quality of life: Patients who undergo active surveillance have been shown to have a better quality of life than those who undergo traditional treatment. This is because they avoid the side effects associated with treatment.
Avoidance of unnecessary treatment: Many patients who undergo active surveillance avoid unnecessary treatment, which can have a significant impact on their quality of life.
Increased survival rates: Despite not receiving treatment immediately, patients who undergo active surveillance have been shown to have similar survival rates as those who undergo surgery or radiation.

Conclusion

The active surveillance approach for prostate cancer is a promising alternative to traditional treatment.

While it has some disadvantages, the benefits of avoiding unnecessary treatment, reducing healthcare costs, and improving quality of life make it an attractive option for many patients. Furthermore, the promising results of active surveillance suggest that it may have a role to play in improving the overall survival rates for prostate cancer patients.