WATCHFUL WAITING

 

If your symptoms are not causing you any discomfort or problem, “careful observation” may be appropriate.  In watchful waiting, the cancer is monitored very closely and treatment can be started immediately if the cancer advances.  This works particularly well when the cancer remains in the prostate and has little effect on how you feel or on how long you will live.  It is a fact that 7 out of 10 men with prostate cancer will die of other causes.

 

Choosing this option depends on:

 

• Whether you are having any symptoms

• Your age – in older men a small and slow growing tumour may not cause any problems during your lifetime

• Your health – if there are other serious illnesses you are suffering from

• How fast your cancer cells may grow

• How abnormal your cancer cells are

Some men may have difficulty accepting to NOT treat the cancer and would prefer treatment.  For other men, the problems and side effects of treatment may seem worse than the benefits and watchful waiting is an appropriate choice.