Many Men Are Putting Off Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most widespread cancer affecting men worldwide, accounting for approximately 10% of all cancer cases in men.

Prostate cancer is highly treatable if detected early. However, many men are putting off treatment for various reasons, leading to worse health outcomes.

According to recent research, many Americans diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer have delayed traditional treatments, such as radiation and surgery.

Instead, many individuals with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer opt for “active surveillance.” They closely monitor the progression of the disease for any signs of advancement that eventually necessitates medical intervention.

Research Findings

The study shows that since 2010, the percentage of low-risk prostate cancer patients who choose active surveillance over immediate treatment has risen from 16% to approximately 60%. Additionally, surveillance among intermediate-risk patients has increased, rising from about 8% to 22% during the same period.

Most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer can delay or avoid harsh treatments without harming their chances of survival, according to new results from a long-running study in the United Kingdom. https://t.co/oWdglaUdPj

— CNN (@CNN) March 12, 2023

Dr. Bashir Al Hussein Al Awamlh, a urologic oncology fellow at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and the study’s lead author has attributed the trend to the advocacy of professional societies. These societies have pushed for active surveillance of low-risk cancers for over a decade.

The concept behind active surveillance is contingent on certain cancers having a low propensity to spread beyond the prostate gland and are not fatal. As a result, immediate treatment may not be necessary.

However, studies have indicated that almost half of low- and intermediate-risk patients who choose surveillance instead of treatment may require treatment within ten years. This suggests that surveillance is not always the best option for these patients in the long term.

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Dr. Bashir Al Hussein Al Awamlh added that through active surveillance, medical professionals could closely monitor the progression of these cancers. They use using blood tests, imaging techniques, and biopsies, with the primary objective of preventing cancer from advancing.

Men with localised prostate cancer who are actively monitored have the same high survival rates after 15 years as men who are treated with radiotherapy or surgery, finds NIHR-funded research.

Find out more: https://t.co/S0JSmomUzf

— Be Part of Research (@NIHRtakepart) March 20, 2023

He further explained that the goal is to avoid subjecting patients to the adverse effects of radiation or surgery, which can adversely impact urinary and sexual function.

According to Dr. Yaw Nyame, an assistant professor in the urology department at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, this is a significant concern.

He said radiation treatment poses similar risks to sexual function as surgery and a “fairly high rate” of urination frequency, diarrhea, and bowel disturbances for six to twelve months following treatment.

As such, the risk of dying from prostate cancer must be substantial enough without treatment to justify enduring these side effects. This is where active surveillance becomes valuable, as explained by Dr. Bashir Al Hussein Al Awamlh.

Why Men Are Putting Off Prostate Cancer Treatment

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With low-risk cancers, it implies that the likelihood of it spreading is low. Therefore, active surveillance aims to detect these cancers before they advance.

This is another reason men delay treatment. Some believe that prostate cancer is slow-growing and that treatment can wait. Some prostate cancers are slow-growing. However, others can be aggressive and spread quickly to other parts of the body.

Delaying treatment can lead to a more advanced stage of cancer, making it more challenging to treat and potentially reducing the chances of a successful outcome.

Another main reason men put off treatment for prostate cancer is fear of the unknown, the treatment process, and the potential side effects of treatment.

Many men fear the possibility of incontinence, impotence, or other sexual dysfunction that may result from treatment. This fear can be paralyzing and prevent men from seeking medical attention, even when they notice symptoms.

Lack of Financial Support

Some men may also put off treatment because of financial concerns. The cost of treatment for prostate cancer can be high, and not all men have access to affordable healthcare. Treatment costs can be a significant barrier to seeking care for these men.

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Unfortunately, delaying treatment for prostate cancer can have serious consequences. Cancer can spread beyond the prostate gland to other body parts, such as the bones or lymph nodes.

This spread can lead to more advanced stages of the disease. It eventually becomes more challenging to treat and may require more aggressive treatment options.

Men must understand that prostate cancer is a treatable disease. Many treatment options include surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy.

Each treatment option has its benefits and risks. Men should discuss these options with their doctors to determine the best course of action.