If more research was needed to discourage men with early stage prostate from electing radical treatments, consider it done. Reuters reports on a study published in the journal of Clinical Oncology, that looked at more than 12,600 men with prostate cancer, including some with a
particularly aggressive form. All the men had their prostates removed. The researchers found that 15 years after treatment, only 12 percent had died from cancer, while 38
percent had died from other causes.Dr. Peter Scardino of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York told Reuters that the study shows a remarkably low risk of dying of prostate cancer
within 15 years for treated men, and supports the concept that men with
slow-growing cancers may not need immediate treatment. Scardino points out that in the United States, less than 2 percent of men under age
65 choose to have doctors closely monitor their cancer instead of
having surgery and radiation.
Reuters also directs our attention to another study conducted at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, where researchers questioned 150 men with low-grade prostate cancer who opted for "active surveillance" instead of radical therapy. The results of the Dutch study disproved the widely disseminated argument that active surveillance condemned patients to a life of high anxiety. Reuters reports that the study found that most of the active surveillance patients were less conflicted about their decisions, less depressed and less anxious than those who had gone under the knife.
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Wait a minute. All of the men had the surgery and then a relatively low number of them died from the cancer, but the study “supports the concept that men with slow-growing cancers may not need immediate treatment.” Huh? The stated facts seem to suggest that treatment was effective, not unneeded. Something’s plainly missing from the Reuters piece.
These studies leave much to be desired. There is no harm in giving folks an option, but lets not expand this “do nothing” approach into eliminating testing (which has been mentioned in the same breath as “do nothing.” I speak as one who is a prostate cancer survivor. I was diagnosed, made a reasoned decision for treatment, and have been cancer free for over 10 years.
Same here. Ca free for 8.5 years. I don’t regret the surgery. Life has been good since.
Don’t be fooled by the statistics. Almost as many men die of prostate cancer as women dying of breast cancer. Early detection is the magic cure for most cancer. Then you can decide if treatment is needed.
This report is mind boggeling. It says to have surgery and only 12% get cancer again. Then it says dont have any treatment. I think Dr. Scardino had been smoking too many herbs. God, I hope I never get stuck in a hospital where he is on staff. Sober up Scardino.
A RECENT POPULAR US ARMY GENERAL WROTE I WANT THE ENEMY WITHIN DESTROYED,RE TO PROSTRATE CANCER.I TOO TOOK HIS ADVICE HAD THE SURGERY AND HAVE BEEN CANCER FREE 12 YEARS.IT IS A GREAT FEELING TO KNOW THE ENEMY WITHIN HAS BEEN CRUSHED.I HAD TWO RELATIVES WITH PROSTATE CANCER.ONE TOOK SEED INPLANTS AND ONE WAITE AND WATCH,BOTH ARE WATCHING ME FROM ABOVE.THE DECISION IS YOURS.
THE SURVIVOR
Opted for Radical Prostatectomy 14 years ago after early detection at age 54. Asked my outstanding surgeon to save neuro-vascular bundle and to take pelvic lymph nodes. Very small tumor found contained inside gland. No after side affects what so ever. I am active in “every way” and remain cancer free to date. Life is good watching grand children grow and being part of their life. My decision was a no brainer. I am an advocate for surgery and recommend it without hesitation to others in the same situation. Treat it aggressively and be sure.
Diaper Dan
I have not heard any of you people talk about wearing Diapers. Is this acceptable now? Or did they correct this situation during sergury or after?
If I’m considering to be a “do nothing” (except a confirming biopsy) person diagnosed with prostate cancer, I would like to know what percentage of “do nothing” prostate cancer diagnosed people are still living after 15 years. Any figures on that ????