“Prostate Cancer Considerations in 2017”
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), in the United States, there will be nearly 61,360 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2017 and about 26,730 deaths from the disease. When deciding on a prostate cancer treatment, the optimal outcome is threefold: to maintain urinary continence, avoid erectile dysfunction, and be cured of the disease. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Men and their partners receive data and advice from varying sources (media, internet searches, physicians, other men who have prostate cancer, family and friends). They may consider this information, weigh their priorities, and choose a treatment modality. There are many options, each with different risks and benefits. The decision-making process is often difficult and confusing, especially given the relatively few comprehensive resources that objectively compare all treatment options. This may exist because there is no consensus on the “best” treatment available to guide physicians and patients because no large randomized controlled trials include all treatment options due to the scale, complexity and ethical barriers to such a study.
