Prostate Cancer Treatment Can Wait for Most Men, Study Finds

Changes in cells indicative of adenocarcinoma of the prostate in a 1974 microscope image. Dr. Edwin P. Ewing, Jr./CDC via AP

Researchers have found long-term evidence that actively monitoring localized prostate cancer is a safe alternative to immediate surgery or radiation.

The results, released Saturday, are encouraging for men who want to avoid treatment-related sexual and incontinence problems, said Dr. Stacy Loeb, a prostate cancer specialist at NYU Langone Health who was not involved in the research.