Active surveillance

Over nearly 8 years of AS I have seen many consultants in the NHS and private. Most have offered me treatment (surgery, HT+ radiotherapy, proton, hifu, nano knife). However I decided against because they all come with risk of life changing after effects or recurrence. I have read hundreds of posts on this site which help me understand the balance of risk.

Maybe one day I will need some invasive treatment but I hope better treatments will come along in the future.

It was difficult at first to stay on AS. When you are told that you have cancer that is a big thing, even if it's low grade. At first I felt I just had to get rid of it. Friends said you have to do something. However I learned that Gleason 6 is low risk and treatments are high risk.

I fight back by eating better, avoiding alcohol and doing more exercise. It has helped my health generally..

Best wishes for your decisions.

That's good that it is so small 

Thanks David at the moment I just keep changing my mind on what's best.for me  consultant is on holiday till next week.so will see how I feel then

Hello michael1963 ,David193 and Prestonbloke 

I have been following this thread from afar so I thought I would stick my oar in!! (I know I am no help but a debate is great!!).

* AS is great with a low Gleason Score and you don't worry about the cancer.

* It's not going away so treatment is on the horizon - is it better to bite the bullet now with "age" on your side and get any treatment over and done with .Worry gone!!

* Do you consider QOL (Quality of life). Enjoy it now and leave the cancer issues for later.

Don't forget I have no personal opinion here as I went right onto HT/RT with surgery not an option  and these are just my personal musings.

I do hope this helps a little.

Best wishes to all of you - Brian.- 

Thanks for that milbob it's juslt seems so hard to make a choice .

It's very much down to personal choice,  I am so glad my treatment path was given to me without having to decide. 

I wish you all the best of luck - we are all ready to offer advice and opinions - but the choice is yours!

Thanks milbob

Hi Michael1963,

As Millibob said is down to personal choice but I share what happened in our experience:

For years my husband was on PSA check every 6 months. in April 2020 he had an MRI and the urologist consultant assured there is no cancer.  PSA was high 8.8 but level for 3 years and on April 2023 we asked for another MRI.  The consultant dismissed the request and reassured again in telephone call and in writing that there is no cancer. He put my husband on fenesteride for the enlarged prostate. 

In October 2023 he had the usual PSA and results in November where 11.8 but because of the fenesteride its consider double ie 22.

He rushed to MRI which comes up with advanced PC ( see our profile) . Cancer cannot be cured only treated.

What I am trying to say, if you decide to go on AS demands MRI  every 6 months and physical check every 6 months. PSA is not enough. It was not enough for us! With the MRI you have a much better view on the PC and if it is growing or just docile. 

I wish someone told me that a year ago.

Good luck with everything

Lots of love

Dafna

Thanks dafna sorry to hear about how yous have been affected .really appreciate you replying to my post i was told can have another m.r.i after year then 3 yearly after that what seems way to long    And like you say 6 monthly it should be .Will talk to my consultant nurse next week regarding treatment 

Hi Michael 

Def don't like the sound of 3. years.

I would say Def 6 months to 1 year, can't see them going for 6 months but obviously u can ask

Regards 

Steve