Watch Robin's story for one man's experience of being on active
surveillance:
What is the difference
between active surveillance and watchful waiting?
Watchful waiting and active surveillance are both ways of
monitoring prostate cancer and avoiding immediate treatment.
However, there are some differences, including:
- who may be suitable for each approach
- what kind of tests you will have and how often you will have
them.
Active surveillance usually involves more regular hospital
tests, including prostate biopsies. The aim is to treat the cancer
promptly if it shows signs of changing and to try to get rid of it
completely.
Watchful waiting usually involves check-ups at the GP surgery
rather than at the hospital. Check-ups usually happen less often
than with active surveillance. The aim is to treat the cancer if it
starts causing problems or symptoms.
Read our online fact sheet for more
information.
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What are the advantages
and disadvantages?
Advantages
- As there is no treatment involved, there are none of the
physical side effects.
- It does not interfere with your everyday life as much as
treatment.
Disadvantages
- You may need to have more prostate biopsies which can cause
short term side effects, and which some men find
uncomfortable.
- There is a small chance that the cancer may grow more quickly
than expected and become more difficult to treat.
- Some men may become anxious or worry about their cancer
changing.
What might be an advantage for one person may not be for someone
else. Talk to your doctor or nurse about your own situation.
You can read our online fact sheet for more
information about the advantages and disadvantages of active
surveillance.
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What does active
surveillance involve?
If you have active surveillance, your prostate cancer will be
monitored with regular tests.
Monitoring will usually involve:
The tests aim to find any changes that suggest that the cancer
is growing. Treatment can then be offered at an early stage, with
the aim of getting rid of the cancer completely.
For more information on what active surveillance involves read
our online fact sheet.
You can read more about the treatments for prostate cancer on
our treatment choices pages.
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Are there any side
effects?
As active surveillance involves no treatment there are no
physical side effects. But you may need to have prostate biopsies
every few years.
Having a biopsy may cause some short term side effects such as
blood in your urine, faeces or semen. About 1 in 50 men (two per
cent) are at risk of developing a serious infection after biopsy.
You will have antibiotics before your biopsy to help prevent
infection.
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Questions to ask your
doctor or nurse
You may find it helpful to keep a note of any questions you have
to take to your next appointment.
- How often will I have my PSA level checked?
- Who will check my PSA level and give me the results?
- How often will I see my doctor or nurse?
- How often will I have a digital rectal examination?
- Will I need repeat prostate biopsies and how often?
- How quickly would my PSA level have to rise for you to
recommend treatment?
- What are the risks and benefits of active surveillance for
me?
- What treatments could I have if my cancer grows?
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References
You can find a full list of references used to produce this page
in our online fact sheet.
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