Men's Health
Taking charge of prostate cancer
What you should do when following active surveillance.
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
More men with low-risk prostate cancer choose active surveillance over immediate treatment with radiation, hormonal therapy, or surgery. With active surveillance, men monitor their cancer and don’t seek treatment unless it becomes worse.
"Active surveillance can help men analyze their situation before deciding to have invasive procedures and treatments, which can lead to side effects that can affect quality of life and may not improve life expectancy," says Dr. Frank McGovern, a urologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. "But it is also an opportunity for men to re-evaluate their lifestyle and make changes that may improve their cancer prognosis and ensure their life is the healthiest it can be."
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
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