The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is reviewing its guidelines on prostate cancer monitoring following a campaign by national charity Prostate Cancer UK.
Analysis of NHS data carried out by Prostate Cancer UK found that up to 5,000 men a year could be being treated for prostate cancer unnecessarily because guidance on ‘active surveillance’ is unclear.
Active surveillance is an approach whereby prostate cancer is safely monitored so that patients can avoid the side effects of surgery and radiotherapy such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The approach is suitable for cases where the prostate cancer is growing very slowly, meaning it’s less likely to ever cause harm.
Currently, around 6,500 men a year opt for active surveillance rather than radical treatment. Prostate Cancer UK says that guidance on active surveillance should be updated to prevent even more men from undergoing unnecessary treatment. Click here to find out more.
If you or someone you know is affected by prostate, testicular or penile cancer, our free patient and family support groups across Devon and Cornwall offer a space to connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
