Treat or monitor early prostate cancer?

10-yr survival same

In this photo taken Sept. 12, 2016, chief investigator Professor Freddie Hamdy, and co-researcher Professor Jenny Donovan, left, sit during a press briefing to announce the results of the world's first and largest trial into treatment for prostate cancer, in London. Men with early prostate cancer who choose to closely monitor their disease are just as likely to survive at least 10 years as those who have surgery or radiation, finds a major study that directly tested and compared these options. - photo by Associated Press

W prostate — In this photo taken Sept. 12, 2016, chief investigator Professor Freddie Hamdy, and co-researcher Professor Jenny Donovan, left, sit during a press briefing to announce the results of the world's first and largest trial into treatment for prostate cancer, in London. Men with early prostate cancer who choose to closely monitor their disease are just as likely to survive at least 10 years as those who have surgery or radiation, finds a major study that directly tested and compared these options. - photo by Associated Press

LONDON - Men with early prostate cancer who choose to closely monitor their disease are just as likely to survive at least 10 years as those who have surgery or radiation, finds a major study that directly tested and compared these options. Survival from prostate cancer was so high - 99 percent, regardless of which approach men had - that the results call into question not only what treatment is best but also whether any treatment at all is needed for early-stage cases. And that in turn adds to concern about screening with PSA blood tests, because screening is worthwhile only if finding cancer earlier saves lives.

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