Treatment for low-risk prostate cancer may cause more harm than good, so active surveillance is preferred in many cases. This was reported by Speech.
A decade ago, most men with low-risk prostate cancer in the United States were treated immediately with surgery or radiation therapy. Although effective, these methods can lead to serious decreases in quality of life due to urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Men with low-risk cancer are increasingly refusing emergency treatment, a 2023 study found. Instead, 40% (up from 15% in 2010) prefer active surveillance, where treatment is initiated only if the disease progresses. Active surveillance should include regular medical examinations and tests. The survival rate is the same as with aggressive treatment for low-risk prostate cancer. However, the choice of treatment method is possible only after consulting a doctor.
Additionally, prostate cancer screening itself often results in overdiagnosis and overtreatment of cancers that would not be harmful if not detected and treated. More than half of prostate cancers detected by screening in the United States are low risk. A blood test called PSA (prostate specific antigen) is used to screen for prostate cancer. A high PSA level may indicate the presence of prostate cancer, but not all cases are aggressive or life-threatening. However, this rate may also increase due to reasons unrelated to prostate cancer, such as the enlargement of the prostate with aging.
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