More about this project
More about the MCC
homeTable of ContentsMedical Words
Understanding Your Prostate
What Your Test Results Mean
Treatment Choices
Intro
Watchful Wating
Surgery
Radiation
Comparing Treatment Choices
Comparing Side Effects
Newer Treatments
Things to Ask Your Doctor
After Your Treatment
Education and Support Groups
A Choice and A Journey
 
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Treatment Choices : Watchful Waiting

How this treatment can help

  • Some doctors think it’s a good idea to do watchful waiting if the following applies to you:
    - You have a small cancer confined to the prostate gland. And it does not appear to be spreading or growing fast.
    - You are older or have a lot of serious health problems. And you may not live long enough for the cancer to cause any problems.
  • You do not have to deal with side effects or complications of active treatment like:
    - trouble controlling your bladder or your bowels.
    - trouble having an erection.
  • You can always change your mind and begin active treatment.
  • It is low in cost (time and money).

To see pictures of how watchful waiting works, please see page 4.


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“When the doctor told me that I could choose watchful waiting, I thought maybe he didn’t want to take care of me. But that’s not what he meant at all.

He meant he would keep a close watch on my cancer to make sure it wasn’t growing or spreading. It’s a wait and see approach. I had to decide if this was for me.”