Question: I am 76 and I was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. My doctor and I have decided not to treat it, but to keep an eye on it. My friends think I’m crazy not to have surgery to get rid of the cancer. What do you think?

Dr. Hibberd's answer:
For men diagnosed with a very early stage of prostate cancer, treatment may not be necessary right away. Some men may never need treatment. Instead, doctors sometimes recommend watchful waiting, which is sometimes called active surveillance. In watchful waiting, regular follow-up blood tests, rectal exams, and possibly biopsies may be performed to monitor progression of your cancer. If tests show your cancer is progressing, you may opt for a prostate cancer treatment such as surgery or radiation. Watchful waiting may be an option for cancer that isn't causing symptoms, is expected to grow very slowly, and is confined to a small area of the prostate. Watchful waiting may also be considered for a man who has another serious health condition or an advanced age that makes cancer treatment more difficult. Watchful waiting carries some risk that the cancer may grow and spread between check-ups, making it less likely to be cured.