What's active surveillance like for low-risk prostate cancer?

Active surveillance can feel overwhelming at first, but many people find that having a clear monitoring plan helps them feel more in control of their situation. The community here has shared valuable experiences about managing the emotional aspects of regular check-ups and finding ways to stay positive between appointments - hopefully others will share their insights with you about what the day-to-day experience has been like for them.

I completely agree that having a clear monitoring plan really does help with the anxiety, and you might also want to ask others here about what specific questions they found helpful to ask their doctors during those regular check-ups.

That's such a thoughtful suggestion - having that monitoring plan really does help with the uncertainty, and you might also want to ask others about practical tips they've found for managing scan anxiety or what questions they wish they'd asked their doctors early on.

2 years ago my PSA was rising, so my doctor suggested an MRI. The MRI revealed a lesion so we did a biopsy. The biopsy gave a Gleason score of. (3 + 4) 7. The doctor suggested three options, radiation, prostatectomy, or active surveillance. Given the side effects of treatment and the low risk of the low Gleason score, I chose active surveillance. I have also done some holistic actions such as diet, weight control and exercise. This year's MRI also revealed a growth so I just had another biopsy. This time the Gleason score was 3 + 3. So I feel comfortable that my cancer is not aggressive and therefore active surveillance has the least side effects and a reasonably low risk.

What each of you write is very insightful. Joe scenario is similar to mine. My PSA was ridiculously high at 23 and they thought my cancer was aggressive and then they retested it and it went down to 14 so I am also in the observation mode to avoid side effects. I feel very confident in my doctors here at Northwestern in Chicago. The plan forward is to get my PSA retested in July and that looks good…Another test in January with another biopsy. I have two small apparently slow growing tumors. I think it’s important to keep asking our physicians about new developments and treatments. My oncologist said we may be able to buy time with new options coming forth. This is a really good dialogue thank you guys.

I had radical prostate about 1 1/2 years ago. The prostate and surrounding lymph nodes were removed. After getting thru the ‘leakage’ stage (thank God for kegels) I started PSAs every two months. Last PSA was 2 days ago and came up less than 0.01. That has been the results every checkup. YAY! I see my Doc next week. Hopefully the recommendation will be just to continue the bimonthly PSA. I have read that in some instances a biopsy will be recommended. If it is, I intend to go with that. Now everyone’s pathway thru the decision making process is different. You just have to ask questions and come up with the best answer for you. All the best - FK

Hi Wayne, I've only been I n active surveillance for years and a half. I've had PSA bloodwork done, a MRI and a biopsy done last year. I'm going for a MRI on June 30th and will be see my Urologist in early July. I can get to you afterwards if you like. Good luck with your treatment plan and stay in touch. May God bless you mightily and keep you safe.

I was diagnosed with Group 1, 3+3= 6 Gleason, Low Risk Prostate Cancer on Jun 29th. I have my first appointment with my Urologist at John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis,MO on July 8th. I'm currently just trying to wrap my head around all of this.