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Your doctor has reviewed the results of your tests, including your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, prostate biopsy, Gleason score, and tumor stage, and has decided that the findings indicate low-risk prostate cancer that warrants watchful waiting or active surveillance. This means you and your doctor will actively monitor your condition with periodic checkups rather than take a more aggressive step involving active treatment.
Yet despite the appeal and logic behind watchful waiting, including the fact that most prostate cancers grow very slowly and that aggressive treatment before it is necessary—or necessary at all—exposes men to preventable complications, side effects, and decline in quality of life, only a small percentage of men follow their doctor’s recommendation of watchful waiting.
Why do a high percentage of men whose doctors have recommended watchful waiting elect to take a more aggressive treatment approach and risk the complications and side effects associated with this choice? Big factors are anxiety, lack of confidence regarding their test results about their risk of cancer progression, and uncertainty concerning the reliability of surveillance efforts. Basically, many men don’t trust the accuracy of the data available concerning their prostate cancer.
Men who undergo a Smart Prostate Biopsy have benefits not available to men who have a conventional prostate biopsy. Those reassurances include:
- Breakthrough 3D imagery available through Artemis, which gives your doctor high-definition, easy-to-understand graphics that clearly identify the location of each biopsy sample with precision not possible with conventional biopsy procedures.
- A permanent record of the biopsy sites and the entire procedure your doctor can use for future reference
- Clear, permanently recorded information of your prostate biopsy your doctor can use to make an informed decision about your personalized care and treatment
How to Practice Watchful Waiting
- Be in tune with your body. If you notice any change in your urinary habits or symptoms such as pain or swelling, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
- Keep regular follow-up visits with your doctor. Those visits may include a digital rectal exam, PSA test, transrectal ultrasound, or a repeat prostate biopsy, which is typically recommended one year after watchful waiting begins. If your original biopsy was a Smart Prostate Biopsy through Artemis, your doctor will have precise baseline information from which he or she can gauge any changes that may have occurred.
- Maximize your prostate health. Now is the time to optimize your prostate health and prevent progression of the disease. These sixteen suggestions can help you get the most out of your life on watchful waiting.
- Choose nutritious foods. Your food choices have a major impact on the development of cancer, including prostate cancer. The Prostate Diet is a doable plan for men to help significantly reduce the risk of prostate disease.
- Focus on fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are a good source of anticancer, inflammation-fighting compounds.
- Choose healthy fats. A diet high in unhealthy fats is detrimental to the prostate, while healthy fats (e.g., omega-3s, monounsaturated) can promote prostate health.
- Select omega-3 rich foods. Omega-3 fatty acids are a healthy fat with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Cold water fatty fish are excellent sources.
- Select plant-based protein instead of animal protein. The World Health Organization notes that the development of prostate cancer has been linked to “diets high in red meat, dairy products, and animal fat.”
- Choose whole, natural foods. Whole, natural foods are usually high in fiber, and fiber can reduce testosterone and PSA levels, two indicators of a healthy prostate.
- Drink green tea. Green tea contains anticancer compounds called catechins, which may slow the growth of cancer cells and promote cancer cell death.
- Consider supplements. A variety of supplements can benefit prostate health; for example, beta sitosterol, curcumin, quercetin, saw palmetto, and many others.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Overweight and obesity are risk factors for prostate cancer.
- Exercise regularly. Regular exercise may slow the spread of prostate cancer.
- Manage stress. Chronic stress can suppress the immune system and increase susceptibility to disease, including prostate cancer.
- Keep hormones in balance. For optimal prostate health, a balance among hormones is critical.
- Stay sexually active. A healthy sex life can benefit prostate health.
- Practice prostate-healthy habits. Avoid smoking, limit alcohol, get enough sleep, and monitor your use of medications.
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