Active surveillance is when your medical team closely monitor your prostate cancer instead of treating it immediately. Regular testing aims to find any signs that the cancer is growing.
If you have low-risk prostate cancer, your cancer is unlikely to grow or spread quickly. Prostate cancer that is localised (that is, only in the prostate) usually grows very slowly and may never spread to surrounding areas.
That means some people on active surveillance for prostate cancer might not ever need treatment. Active surveillance is a way of avoiding unnecessary cancer treatment, as you will only have treatment if your cancer shows signs of progression.
Active surveillance involves having regular tests, including:
Many people on active surveillance for prostate cancer have PSA tests every three to six months and scans every 12 to 18 months. However, everyone is different, and your medical team can give you more guidance on how often you may need to have tests.
Regular testing aims to find any signs that the cancer is growing. Prostate cancer that is localised (only in the prostate) usually grows very slowly and may never spread to surrounding areas. That means people on active surveillance for prostate cancer might not need treatment in future.
If your tests reveal signs that your cancer is growing or has spread, you may need further tests to determine the extent of the growth.
Active surveillance is suitable for people who have:
Active surveillance is a similar approach to watchful waiting – both approaches aim to help you avoid having treatments you don’t necessarily need. However, a key difference is that active surveillance is more suitable for people with lower-risk cancers.
If you have high-risk prostate cancer, you may not be advised to go on active surveillance as it is likely you will need treatment. You will need to speak to your medical team about your treatment options.
The main advantages of active surveillance include:
If your tests reveal signs that your cancer might be growing, your medical team will discuss your next steps and whether you may need active treatment.
For many people, the disadvantages of active surveillance include:
Ultimately, deciding to go on active surveillance is an individual choice. Your decision will be based on your personal situation and diagnosis, present health status, and how you feel about your prostate cancer diagnosis.
While you’re on active surveillance, your health care team will regularly monitor your PSA levels, biopsies and overall health status. If your tests reveal a change in your prostate cancer, you may need treatment.
The treatments available for prostate cancer include:
If you decide that you do want to have treatment for your prostate cancer, speak to your medical team. It is possible to have treatment, even if your tests don’t reveal any changes.
