You may choose active surveillance if the risks and possible side effects of treatment outweigh the possible benefits. Your doctor may offer this choice if you are older or have other serious health problems. Your doctor may also suggest active surveillance if you are diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer that seems to be slow-growing. Your doctor will offer you treatment if symptoms occur or get worse.
Active surveillance avoids or delays the side effects of surgery and radiation, but this choice has risks. It may reduce the chance to control cancer before it spreads. Also, it may be harder to cope with surgery and radiation therapy as you age.
You may decide against active surveillance if you do not want to live with an untreated cancer. If you choose active surveillance but grow concerned later, you should discuss your feelings with your doctor. A different approach is nearly always available.
Ask Your Doctor About Active Surveillance
You may want to ask your doctor these questions before choosing active surveillance:
If I choose active surveillance, can I change my mind later on?
Will the cancer be harder to treat later?
How often will I have checkups?
Between checkups, what problems should I report?
