| In the early
1990s, roughly 30 percent of prostate cancer patients in
the United States were treated by surgery, 30 percent by
radiation, and 20 percent by watchful waiting. (Most of
the rest were treated with a combination of therapies).
In Europe, by contrast, watchful waiting constitutes the
standard treatment for asymptomatic prostate cancer.
The popularity of surgery in this country has grown tremendously
in recent years. A study of Medicare patients' records found
that the number of men nationwide receiving radical prostatectomy
by 1990 was six times greater than the number recorded for
1984, and the increase was seen in all age groups, from
the youngest (that is, age 65) to men in their eighties.
Recent statistics, however, indicate that since 1993, the
rate of prostatectomies has been dropping.
If you have prostate cancer, you need to consider your
age and general health before making a decision about treatment.
You also need to think about which side effects you can
live with. Some men, for example, cannot imagine living
with side effects such as incontinence or impotence. Other
men are less concerned about these and more concerned about
survival.
Treatment decisions are often hard to make by yourself.
No written information can take the place of talking directly
with your health care professionals. In addition, talk with
your family and friends and consider getting more than one
opinion. It is natural for surgical specialists such as
urologists to recommend surgery and for radiation oncologists
to recommend radiation. Primary care doctors can help you
choose the treatment that is best for you.You might find
that speaking with others who have faced or are currently
facing the same issues is useful.
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