Rung 5 · Established
Active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer
Same 15-year survival as surgery or radiation in a randomized trial.
TreatmentWith your doctor
What studies found
In ProtecT, about 97% of men had not died of prostate cancer at 15 years whether monitored, operated on or irradiated. A quarter of monitored men never needed treatment, avoiding its urinary and sexual side effects.
The catch
Monitoring meant more progression and spread, though not more deaths. It requires regular PSA, MRI and sometimes biopsy.
What to do
If your cancer is low-risk, ask whether surveillance is right for you.
Sources
Rung 5 of 5, Established: Large randomized trials or overwhelming, consistent human evidence; reflected in major guidelines. How we score
To take it to your doctor, print this page.
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the prostate cancer page.
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