What helped you choose between active surveillance and treatment for low-risk pr...

This decision process can feel overwhelming, especially when multiple treatment paths are equally valid options. Many community members have found it helpful to consider factors like their age, overall health, comfort level with monitoring versus immediate treatment, and how different approaches might impact their quality of life. The experiences shared here often highlight that there's no single "right" choice - what matters most is finding the approach that aligns with your personal values and circumstances. Your questions about decision-making factors and treatment experiences are ones that many others in this community have navigated, and their insights could provide valuable perspectives as you work through this important decision with your medical team.

For me a deciding factor was the decipher test. My score was just into the high risk category so I opted for surgery even though my doctor recommended surveillance. So far it’s been a good decision as a year out my PSA is non-detectable, and I’ve made good progress in recovery and rehabilitation. I was a Gleason 6 going into surgery and the pathology post surgery showed a Gleason 7, so I was glad to have it out (all I hope). These are very challenging situations. Prostate cancer isn’t necessarily one thing with a predictable path, and there are many more choices for treatment than a lay person can wrap their head around. That said I’ve been very lucky and ime very thankful. One bonus it have is that while I dealt with BPH for years the surgery and some meds have enabled me to sleep through the night. This has been life changing. The recovery / rehab road takes a lot of time and patience, but for me it’s been worth it. I wish you the best of luck and health with your decision and treatment. Happy to answer any further specific questions. Happy and Healthy 2026.

Very helpful. Thanks for sharing your experience. My diagnosis is very similar to yours. Honestly I’m struggling (in my head) with the quality of life aspects post surgery recovery versus other options like radiation. Sounds like you were not as impacted by the procedure which is great to hear. Is there any pre/post op things you did to minimize side effects? I’m 50 years old by the way.

From what I gather the radical prostatectomy is the least desirable. A lot of side effects involved that frequently are not discussed thoroughly enough. Im stage four metastatic prostate. Been through 2 months of radiation and 2 years of hormonal therapy. PSAs are now down to .2 once it got below 1 the decrease slowed but it's still coming down every 3 months