At first glance watchful waiting and active surveillance for prostate cancer appears to be the most difficult to live with, the uncertainty of waiting. However, as you study all your treatment options you may discover a slightly different definition hidden under the first connotations of the name.

Imagine living at the end of a hairpin curve. I mean living in a house that is in direct line with any traffic that can't make that turn to complete the curve. Any second someone can come crashing thru your front yard and into your house killing and or injuring you and your loved ones.

Now imagine a watchman who stands guard in your front yard and watches traffic for an impending tragedy. He is equipped with an all penetrating whistle which sounds like no other. It is a warning whistle. This guard and this whistle are made to order specifically for you and your family.

Finally imagine 2 guards posted at opposite ends of the curve. Now place them at a vantage point to monitor all traffic approaching your home. These guards have electronic equipment to monitor the speed and condition of each driver as he approaches the danger zone.

They have the calculating analysis and ability to estimate with lightening speed whether this car will crash into your house or even leave the roadway. The guards' ultimate weapon is a warning device which will allow you and your family a 3 minute window of escape to safety.

Prostate cancer is treated with radical surgery, laparoscopic surgery, beam radiation therapy, seed radiation therapy and hormone treatments. Your doctor may prescribe any one or a combination of these treatments based upon your age, the stage of your cancer and other health issues specific to your situation.

Each of these treatment options has side effects which include incontinency, impotency, and bowel problems among other symptoms.

Now correlate watchful waiting/active surveillance with the hairpin curve story above. Prostate cancer is a slow cancer. Many men die with prostate cancer, but few die from it. When you have an abnormal growth your first reaction may be to get rid of it by any means.

Consider this scenario. An elderly man with health problems including heart disease is diagnosed with prostate cancer. Would you expect his doctor to recommend a course of treatment which will further discomfort him and cause him undue stress? By a thorough study of the patient's medical history the doctor may find the probability of death from other illnesses or old age more imminent than any side effects from the cancer itself.

Take note of the name watchful waiting/active surveillance. If your doctor prescribes this treatment for you he will also explain the procedure. The stage of your tumor will periodically be monitored or watched with biopsies and other tests to determine if any growth of the cancer is taking place.

This growth if any will be measured against your health and other pertinent factors to help you and your doctor plan a course of action for your treatment. Always remember you are an integral part of your treatment. Feel free to discuss treatment options extensively with your doctor and be open about your fears and concerns.

You may want to consider one of the guards in the previous story your doctor and the other guard the tests you will receive. One or the other, or more likely both of them together will raise the alarm if changes occur and a different method of treatment should be started. Take good care of your health and consider all your options for treatment. The choices are yours to make.