Follow the Research, Follow the Guidelines
Changes in both Prostate Cancer Options and Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations
Major changes have been recommended related to screening and treatment for two of our most common cancers. Men with early, local prostate cancer can now opt for active surveillance instead of aggressive treatment, and the age for screening mammograms has been rolled back to 40 from a relative recent recommendation of 50. Let’s review each of these findings, which are pertinent to so many of us and our loved ones.
The American Urological Association review of prostate cancer is clear: if you are diagnosed with localized prostate cancer you will not increase your survival rate with surgical removal of the prostate or radiation to the area compared with “active surveillance” with laboratory testing including PSA, imaging, and repeat prostate biopsy at suggested interludes.
Both prostate cancer and its treatment carry risks. Side effects of conventional care often impact overall energy, vitality, and cognition, may also cause all manner of challenges related to urinary, sexual, and bowel function. I have seen in my decades-long practice the way such cancer treatments impact quality of life. When your urologist or urologic oncologist is helping you understand your specific risks, it…
