Specialists prefer treatments over surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

Specialists who treat prostate cancer agree that active surveillance is an effective treatment option; however, they do not recommend it for their own patients. In fact, most specialists prefer treatments performed by their own specialty. For example, urologists are more likely to recommend surgery and radiation oncologists are more likely to recommend radiation therapy. Prostate cancer typically progresses slowly, and many older men with the disease are likely to die of some other cause rather than their cancer. When asked to make a recommendation for a hypothetical 60-year-old man, just 22% would recommend active surveillance. The researchers suggest coordinated, multidisciplinary care involving the patient’s primary care providers as well as specialists may provide a more balanced approach to discussing treatment options.