HealthFirst-More than one way to treat prostate cancer

UNDATED (WJRT) -- (11/17/09) -- The best way for some men to treat prostate cancer may be to not to treat it at all.

It's not the same as watchful waiting -- simply waiting for something to happen with the cancer before taking any active measures -- but it's working for a lot of men who are choosing not to get treated.

This might be because some studies have shown that treatment might not help much.

"We are finding these cancers smaller and smaller, and we know for sure that many of them would never need treatment in their lifetime," said Dr. Mark Soloway with the University of Miami.

In fact, one report estimated about 25 percent of the men treated for prostate cancer do not benefit from the therapies. Soloway said not watchful waiting, but a plan called "active surveillance" may be the best bet.

This active surveillance includes a rectal exam and Prostate-Specific Antigen test every four months as well as a biopsy once a year. No surgery, no radiation, no treatment.

But active surveillance isn't for everyone.

When Ramesh Krishnaiyer was diagnosed with prostate cancer he chose surgery. It had risks, but it also eased his fear.

"I wasn't too happy about something growing every second of the day within me." Krishnaiyer said. "Sooner, the better. I needed to get it out."

For Terry Johnson, making it big with his group The Flamingos was easy compared to hearing he had cancer.

"It was just a frightful thing to hear...cancer."

Johnson was ready to undergo an experimental treatment when he met Doctor Soloway. Soloway told Johnson that he would not die from his prostate cancer. He simply said it wasn't large enough to kill him.

So instead of treatment, Johnson chose active surveillance.

It's been about one year for Johnson and so far, so good.

According to the American Cancer Society, studies show men who choose this approach and go on to be treated later do just as well as those who start treatment right away.

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health, healthfirst, leslie toldo

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