More Men With Early Prostate Cancer Are Choosing to Avoid Treatment

Nelson Vergel · May 28, 2016

Seemingly overnight, treatment of men with early-stage prostate cancer has undergone a sea change. Five years ago, nearly all opted for surgery or radiation; now, nearly half are choosing no treatment at all.

The approach is called active surveillance. It means their cancers are left alone but regularly monitored to be sure they are not growing. Just 10 percent to 15 percent of early-stage prostate cancer patients were being treated by active surveillance several years ago. Now, national data from three independent sources consistently finds that 40 percent to 50 percent of them are making that choice.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/05/2.../health&action=click&contentCollection=health

Vince · May 28, 2016

My understanding is, there are different types of prostate cancer, so I would think some doctors are treating each type differently.

OMI100 · May 29, 2016

New blood test. At my last URO appt. DR wanted to do a biopsy. He figured out I was not too keen and offered this test. Still waiting on results.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/...u-avoid-unnecessary-prostate-cancer-biopsies/
http://4kscore.opko.com/
https://www.oncolink.org/experts/article.cfm?id=2376
http://www.drdach.com/PSA_Screening.html

CoastWatcher · May 29, 2016

Orrin Israel said:
New blood test. At my last URO appt. DR wanted to do a biopsy. He figured out I was not too keen and offered this test. Still waiting on results.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/...u-avoid-unnecessary-prostate-cancer-biopsies/
http://4kscore.opko.com/
https://www.oncolink.org/experts/article.cfm?id=2376
http://www.drdach.com/PSA_Screening.html

I knew of this test, but did not know anyone who had experience with it. Please update us as you learn more (should you be comfortable doing so). Thanks!